anthropology

[an-thruh-pol-uh-jee]

noun

1. the science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and social customs and beliefs of humankind.

2. the study of human beings' similarity to and divergence from other animals.

3. the science of humans and their works.

4. Also called philosophical anthropology. the study of the nature and essence of humankind.

anthropology

/ ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒɪ, ˌænθrəpəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of humans, their origins, physical characteristics, institutions, religious beliefs, social relationships, etc See also cultural anthropology ethnology physical anthropology social anthropology

anthropology

1. The scientific study of humans, especially of their origin, their behavior, and their physical, social, and cultural development.

anthropology

1. The scientific study of the origin, development, and varieties of human beings and their societies, particularly so-called primitive societies.

Other Word Forms

• anthropologically adverb
• anthropologist noun
• anthropological adjective
• anthropologic adjective
• pseudoanthropological adjective
• semianthropologic adjective
• semianthropological adjective
• semianthropologically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of anthropology¹

First recorded in 1585–95; anthropo- + -logy

Example Sentences

David Raichlen, professor of biological sciences and anthropology at USC, said short intervals of increased effort — even just walking briskly for a few minutes — can yield meaningful health effects.

From Los Angeles Times

“The whole idea behind the 10,000 steps was actually a marketing campaign for a company in Japan that developed a pedometer,” said David Raichlen, professor of biological sciences and anthropology at USC.

From Los Angeles Times

In some hotels above casinos there, blocks of guest rooms have been converted into offices where workers help fraudsters find motorcades to move illicit funds, according to a 2024 report by a doctoral anthropology student.

From Salon

He became interested in anthropology and archaeology and moved to the village of Nibutani in Hokkaido to be among the Ainu community.

From BBC

Jordan Thomas, author of the forthcoming “When It All Burns,” is a former wildland firefighter and a doctoral candidate in anthropology at UC Santa Barbara, where he researches the cultural forces that shape wildfire.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• folklore 
• sociology 

When To Use

What is anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of how humans have been different biologically, physically, socially, and culturally over time and space.Anthropology is a broad, diverse field of study that is usually divided into multiple subfields of study and research that specialize in different areas. Let’s look at some of these subfields to get a better understanding of the kinds of subjects an anthropologist might study.Archaeology is a major subfield of anthropology that has become well known thanks to major discoveries and pop culture. Archeology involves the study of human culture by recovering artifacts of past peoples. An archeologist might study the culture and society of the Mayans, for example, by searching for art, tools, or remains of buildings they left behind across the Americas.Cultural anthropology is the study of humanity’s different cultures. This subfield can overlap with archaeology and often involves information discovered from it. But where archaeology is usually concerned with cultures of the past, cultural anthropology might study present cultures, especially with how they differ from each other.Physical anthropology, or biological anthropology, focuses on how humans have physically and biologically changed over time. It also looks at how humans are different from other animals, especially chimpanzees and other primates. Anthropologists will often do this by analyzing bones of ancient humans or remains of animals that science considers to be relatives or ancestors of humans.