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

There tends to be a shortage of teachers credentialed in math, as well as science and special education.

From Los Angeles Times

Students taking a four-year undergraduate education degree in maths, and technology and design, will have their tuition fees paid for the duration of their course - about £5,000 a year or £20,000 in total.

From BBC

But because perimenopause and menopause have never been prioritized as a subject of medical education or training, figuring out what to try first and how can be a challenge.

From Salon

One of their education projects involved training women and children, and had apparently been approved by local authorities, despite a Taliban ban on women working and education for girls over 12-years-old.

From BBC

But while she said a few parents mentioned that missing kindergarten did not seem like a serious problem, most shared a strong commitment to their child’s education.

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.