homeschool

American  

[hohm-skool] / ˈhoʊmˌskul /

Or home-school

verb (used with object)

1. to teach (one's children) at home instead of sending them to school.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to educate one's children at home.

noun

1. a school set up in the home.

Usage

What does homeschool mean? To homeschool means to educate children at home instead of sending them to a school, especially on a permanent or long-term basis. Children who are homeschooled are taught by homeschoolers (their parent or other guardian) and the practice of doing so is called homeschooling. This is often contrasted with traditional forms of schooling in which children go to a public or private school with other children in a physical location. Other forms of education that can happen at home, such as distance learning and online classes, are not typically called homeschooling. Homeschooling is usually understood as when the parent or guardian is the one doing the teaching. Homeschool is sometimes spelled home-school or home school. It can also be used as a noun to mean a school set up at home. Example: Parents who homeschool their children often plan social activities with other children, but critics say this does not replace the socialization that occurs in traditional schooling.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• homeschooler
  noun

Etymology

Origin of homeschool

First recorded in 1770–80 homeschool for def. 3 and in 1980–85 for current senses; home ( def. ) + school ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

This is partly why Sarah decided to homeschool her children - by knowing she could see them all the time, the images of them being fatally injured or catching a terrible disease were diminished somewhat.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Parents who opt not to vaccinate due to their beliefs can homeschool their children and enroll them in independent study, provided they do not “receive classroom-based instruction.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

When Newby ran for the Supreme Court in 2004, he focused on turning out church and homeschool communities, voters to whom he had deep ties.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

Their costs include a virtual homeschool curriculum that charges a monthly fee.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2023

He’d been researching online high school curriculums ever since the homeschool question first came up, and now he was ready.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles