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academia

American  
[ak-uh-dee-mee-uh, -deem-yuh, -dem-ee-uh, -dem-yuh] / ˌæk əˈdi mi ə, -ˈdim yə, -ˈdɛm i ə, -ˈdɛm yə /

noun

  1. the milieu or interests of a university, college, or academy; academe.


academia British  
/ ˌækəˈdiːmɪə /

noun

  1. the academic world

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of academia

First recorded in 1945–50; from New Latin, Latin; academy

Explanation

The world of colleges and universities is academia. Academia is the academic world. If you like school, then you might enjoy academia, which is also known as academe. People in academia include students — college and university students, specifically. Then there are the professors, who teach the students. That's not all professors do; they also research various subjects. Producing research is one of the major goals of academia. If you like thinking and learning and studying, academia could be the place for you.

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Vocabulary lists containing academia

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Employees across sectors ranging from law to marketing to academia told me this enthusiasm often isn’t backed up by a thorough understanding of the tools.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

Greg, inspired by author Carl Hiaasen, is an average man navigating new adventures in academia.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

The CD Howe Institute says its panel, a mix of economists from big banks and academia, demonstrated unanimity in its recommendations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

"I think his experience at Oxford and in academia influenced the way he chose that nickname," Jones says.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

The Mark I was what brought Lawrence and Alvarez to Livermore on their scouting visit, Ernest again embracing his wartime role as impresario of a partnership of government, academia, and industry.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik