language arts
Americannoun
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(used with a plural verb) the skills, including reading, composition, speech, spelling, and grammar, taught in elementary and secondary schools to give students a thorough proficiency in using the language.
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(used with a singular verb) a core course of instruction in an elementary or secondary school where students develop these skills.
Etymology
Origin of language arts
First recorded in 1945–50
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.
“The District currently recommends that students complete approximately 45 minutes of English Language Arts and Math personalized learning lessons on the i-Ready platform weekly,” the resolution states.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Unified, the combined advanced or proficiency rate rose to 46.5% in English Language Arts and 36.8% in math.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025
For example, recently released test score data from spring 2023 shows about 62% of Seattle third graders met state standards in English Language Arts, about the same as pre-pandemic scores.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 30, 2023
The state’s own test had nearly 63% of students score below grade level on the English Language Arts test, although state education officials note a different figure shows 64% of third graders are reading proficiently.
From Washington Times • Apr. 13, 2023
And Mrs. Halloway, in Language Arts, was calling on him a lot—I think because she saw Joseph reading Walden.
From "Orbiting Jupiter" by Gary D. Schmidt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
