education

[ej-oo-key-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

   Synonyms: learning, schooling, instruction

2. the act or process of imparting or acquiring particular knowledge or skills, as for a profession.

3. a degree, level, or kind of schooling.

   a university education.

4. the result produced by instruction, training, or study.

   to show one's education.

   Synonyms: enlightenment, knowledge, learning

5. the science or art of teaching; pedagogics.

education

/ ˌɛdjʊˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of acquiring knowledge, esp systematically during childhood and adolescence

2. the knowledge or training acquired by this process

   his education has been invaluable to him

3. the act or process of imparting knowledge, esp at a school, college, or university

   education is my profession

4. the theory of teaching and learning

   a course in education

5. a particular kind of instruction or training

   a university education

   consumer education

Other Word Forms

• antieducation adjective
• noneducation noun
• overeducation noun
• preeducation noun
• proeducation adjective
• supereducation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of education¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French, from Latin ēducātiōn-, stem of ēducātiō “a rearing, bringing up,” literally “a leading out,” equivalent to ēducāt(us) ( educate ) + -iō -ion

Synonym Study

Education, training imply a discipline and development by means of study and learning. Education is the development of the abilities of the mind (learning to know): a liberal education. Training is practical education (learning to do) or practice, usually under supervision, in some art, trade, or profession: training in art, teacher training. Education, culture are often used interchangeably to mean the results of schooling. Education, however, suggests chiefly the information acquired. Culture is a mode of thought and feeling encouraged by education. It suggests an aspiration toward, and an appreciation of high intellectual and esthetic ideals: The level of culture in a country depends upon the education of its people.

Example Sentences

We’d love to have a country that supports free speech, offers universal health care and free education through college, taxes the rich appropriately and truly supports families and workers.

From Salon

"That's why is essential for these children to go to school, get an education and accomplish their goals."

From BBC

In later years, she stepped back from using her royal HRH title and spent more time working to improve music education for young people.

From BBC

A spokesperson for the trust said only 19 lower sixth students enrolled, but it would ensure the current Year 13 pupils continued to receive "high quality" education.

From BBC

Hodgkiss had been a football coach and physical education teacher at Bishop Montgomery for 15 years until he was fired last week.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• culture 
• discipline 
• improvement 
• information 
• learning 
• literacy 
• scholarship 
• schooling 
• science 
• study 
• teaching 
• training 

When To Use

What is a basic definition of education?

Education is both the act of teaching knowledge to others and the act of receiving knowledge from someone else. Education also refers to the knowledge received through schooling or instruction and to the institution of teaching as a whole. Education has a few other senses as a noun.Education is a word that covers both the act of instructing and the act of learning. It usually refers specifically to the teaching of children or younger people and the learning done by them.Real-life examples: Elementary schools, high schools, and colleges are institutions focused on education: People are taught important information and life skills at these places. Medical schools, law schools, and driving schools provide more specialized forms of education.Used in a sentence: The proper education of children is considered important in every country. Related to this sense, education refers to the specific level or type of instruction a person has received.Used in a sentence: He has a high school education. Education also means the specific knowledge or scholarship a person has acquired from being taught.Real-life examples: Doctors have an education in medicine. Chemists have an education in chemistry. Bankers have an education in finance or economics.Used in a sentence: She has an education in languages and is fluent in French and Italian. Education is also used to refer to the process or institution of teaching in general.Real-life examples: Most teachers have college degrees in education. Nations often devote a portion of their budget to education.Used in a sentence: My brother decided to pursue a career in education.