learning

[lur-ning]

noun

1. the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill.

   Students exhibit a clear love of learning, enjoying the relationships they have with their teachers.

2. knowledge acquired by systematic study in any field of scholarly application.

   She enjoys showing off her learning to her parents.

3. Psychology.,  the modification of behavior through practice, training, or experience.

4. Usually learnings. something that is learned through education or experience.

   Parents can help set up expectations, nurture curiosity, cultivate discipline, and reinforce learnings.

learning

/ ˈlɜːnɪŋ /

noun

1. knowledge gained by study; instruction or scholarship

2. the act of gaining knowledge

3. psychol any relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a direct result of experience

Other Word Forms

• unlearning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of learning¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English lerning, Old English leornung; learn, -ing ¹

Synonym Study

Learning, erudition, lore, scholarship refer to knowledge existing or acquired. Learning is the most general term. It may refer to knowledge obtained by systematic study or by trial and error: a man of learning; learning in the real world. Erudition suggests a thorough, formal, and profound sort of knowledge obtained by extensive research; it is especially applied to knowledge in fields other than those of mathematics and physical sciences: a man of vast erudition in languages. Lore is accumulated knowledge in a particular field, especially of a curious, anecdotal, or traditional nature; the word is now somewhat literary: nature lore; local lore. Scholarship is the formalized learning that is taught in schools, especially as actively employed by a person trying to master some field of knowledge or extend its bounds: high standards of scholarship in history.

Example Sentences

“He was learning all these traditional Appalachian instruments, and I said, ‘That’s awesome because my house is set in the Dust Bowl.’”

From Los Angeles Times

In the meantime, Schaeffer said the rest of this season will be as much about learning as it will be about winning.

From Los Angeles Times

She became a music teacher at Wansbeck Primary School in Kingston upon Hull, which has a progressive programme for the inclusion of children with learning difficulties.

From BBC

She spoke of talented children trapped by deprivation - describing "estates with Berlin Walls around them" - and subsequently set up a charity to help young people get access to learning instruments.

From BBC

But after having her first child at 16, Rayner studied part-time at college, learning British sign language and gaining a vocational qualification in social care.

From BBC

Related Words

• culture 
• information 
• literature 
• research 
• schooling 
• science 
• study 
• training 

When To Use

What is a basic definition of learning?

Learning is the act of acquiring new knowledge or is the knowledge that has been gained through study. The word learning is also a form of the verb learn.Learning refers to the process of gaining new knowledge or mastering new skills. Let’s say you want to know how to speak Spanish. You might have a Spanish instructor teach you how to speak it or you might read a lot of books about how to speak Spanish. Both of these strategies are examples of learning. Learning is the counterpart to teaching.

• Real-life examples: Schools and colleges are places of learning because students go there to gain new knowledge. Not every child has a love of learning, and many will avoid studying or hate going to school. Compared to other animals, humans are especially good at learning.



• Used in a sentence: We created a video game that makes learning fun. 

The word learning can also mean the knowledge or skills that a person has gained.

• Used in a sentence: She is very smart and always manages to impress me with her impressive learning.