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Synonyms

civics

American  
[siv-iks] / ˈsɪv ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

  1. the study or science of the privileges and obligations of citizens.

civics British  
/ ˈsɪvɪks /

noun

  1. the study of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship

  2. the study of government and its workings

"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 civics

1880–85, civic, -ics

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.

To inspire more students to take these lessons in democracy seriously, school curricula should treat civics as a foundational skill, not an optional activity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

This week, in fact, New York Times columnist Frank Bruni hailed the second season currently unfolding over a 15-hour shift on Independence Day, calling it a civics lesson.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2026

Student leaders see their protests as a civics lesson in action.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

Others said they were motivated to take classroom civics lessons to the streets.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

Bring your daughter who wants to attend Columbia, bring her transcripts and civics essay and have her bring her violin.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

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.