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Synonyms

teaching

American  
[tee-ching] / ˈti tʃɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act or profession of a person who teaches.

  2. something that is taught.

  3. Often teachings. doctrines or precepts.

    the teachings of Lao-tzu.
teaching British  
/ ˈtiːtʃɪŋ /

noun

  1. the art or profession of a teacher

  2. (sometimes plural) something taught; precept

  3. (modifier) denoting a person or institution that teaches

    a teaching hospital

  4. (modifier) used in teaching

    teaching aids
"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

Other Word Forms

  • nonteaching adjective
  • self-teaching adjective

Etymology

Origin of teaching

First recorded in 1125–75, teaching is from the Middle English word teching. See teach, -ing 1

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 shift in approach followed a consultation in 2023 involving academic researchers, teaching organisations, public agencies and municipalities.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Pacheco is always prepared, whether jumping out of planes or teaching life lessons to football players.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

She says one teacher "has started printing all the texts that we use during the lesson", while a digital learning platform in maths lessons has been swapped out for textbook-only teaching.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

But another said, “Your teaching job is a great platform and can help you land other work.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

I wondered if Irene Blythe was teaching her.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

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.