anthropology

American  

[an-thruh-pol-uh-jee] / ˌæn θrəˈpɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and social customs and beliefs of humankind.

2. the study of human beings' similarity to and divergence from other animals.

3. the science of humans and their works.

4. Also called philosophical anthropology.  the study of the nature and essence of humankind.

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anthropology British  

/ ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒɪ, ˌænθrəpəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the study of humans, their origins, physical characteristics, institutions, religious beliefs, social relationships, etc See also cultural anthropology ethnology physical anthropology social anthropology

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anthropology Scientific  

/ ăn′thrə-pŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of humans, especially of their origin, their behavior, and their physical, social, and cultural development.

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anthropology Cultural  

1. The scientific study of the origin, development, and varieties of human beings and their societies, particularly so-called primitive societies.

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Usage

What is anthropology? Anthropology is the study of how humans have been different biologically, physically, socially, and culturally over time and space.Anthropology is a broad, diverse field of study that is usually divided into multiple subfields of study and research that specialize in different areas. Let’s look at some of these subfields to get a better understanding of the kinds of subjects an anthropologist might study.Archaeology is a major subfield of anthropology that has become well known thanks to major discoveries and pop culture. Archeology involves the study of human culture by recovering artifacts of past peoples. An archeologist might study the culture and society of the Mayans, for example, by searching for art, tools, or remains of buildings they left behind across the Americas.Cultural anthropology is the study of humanity’s different cultures. This subfield can overlap with archaeology and often involves information discovered from it. But where archaeology is usually concerned with cultures of the past, cultural anthropology might study present cultures, especially with how they differ from each other.Physical anthropology, or biological anthropology, focuses on how humans have physically and biologically changed over time. It also looks at how humans are different from other animals, especially chimpanzees and other primates. Anthropologists will often do this by analyzing bones of ancient humans or remains of animals that science considers to be relatives or ancestors of humans.

Other Word Forms

• anthropologic adjective
• anthropological adjective
• anthropologically adverb
• anthropologist noun
• pseudoanthropological adjective
• semianthropologic adjective
• semianthropological adjective
• semianthropologically adverb

Etymology

Origin of anthropology

First recorded in 1585–95; anthropo- + -logy

Example Sentences

I was an anthropology doctoral student and human rights worker, studying the effects of Putin’s centralizing policies and of the country’s Christian nationalist media on the everyday lives of Russians.

From Salon

I think of it as what we call in anthropology a nativist movement, a foregrounding of the people in the land.

From Salon

And how could departments of literature, sociology or anthropology be competent given the same limitation?

From The Wall Street Journal

"This site reveals an extraordinary story of cultural continuity," said lead author David R. Braun, a professor of anthropology at the George Washington University.

From Science Daily

This contrast is a good deal more dramatically compelling than the somewhat overwrought psychological drama that exerts a regressive pull on “anthropology.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• folklore
• sociology