homework
Americannoun
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homework
plural
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schoolwork assigned to be done outside the classroom (distinguished from classwork ).
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a single assignment of such schoolwork: Homeworks are due at the beginning of class.
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thorough preparatory study of a subject.
to do one's homework for the next committee meeting.
noun
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school work done out of lessons, esp at home
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any preparatory study
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work done at home for pay
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of homework
Explanation
Any assignment you're expected to complete after school and bring back to class the next day is called homework. Many students make up excuses for not having their homework done. The "My dog ate my homework" excuse doesn't work so well in the digital age. High school students typically have a lot of homework most days, and often that's true for younger students as well. In college, an increasing amount of school work is done outside of class, as homework (even if you do it in the library, a cafe, or a dorm). Homework originally referred to any work done at home, including cooking and cleaning. The first example of the "school work" meaning dates from the late 1880s.
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 teenager was busy, as are all of the youth involved with Vote16 Culver City, a lunchtime advocacy group with members juggling extracurriculars, homework, college applications and jobs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
With every language-services company using its own accuracy measures, everyone essentially grades their own homework, using their own rules.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026
As my nieces and nephews grew up, I had all the fun moments and none of the tedious ones: Yes to presents; no to homework, discipline and tears.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
I just can’t tell if that’s because he did his homework or because he figures it’s a decent fit for someone with my level of funds.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 12, 2026
Coal slammed his locker, realized he forgot to take his math homework, and opened it up again.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
