Dictionary.com
definitions

educate

[ ej-oo-keyt ]
/ ˈɛdʒ ʊˌkeɪt /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR educate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ed·u·cat·ed, ed·u·cat·ing.

to develop the faculties and powers of (a person) by teaching, instruction, or schooling.
to qualify by instruction or training for a particular calling, practice, etc.; train: to educate someone for law.
to provide schooling or training for; send to school.
to develop or train (the ear, taste, etc.): to educate one's palate to appreciate fine food.
to inform: to educate oneself about the best course of action.

verb (used without object), ed·u·cat·ed, ed·u·cat·ing.

to educate a person or group: A television program that educates can also entertain.

RELATED CONTENT

Black PanthersRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
Is There A Difference Between “Calling In” And “Calling Out”?Do you say “calling out sick” or “calling in sick”? That debate could go on forever. But, “calling out” and “calling in” actually have very specific meanings in the world of social justice.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

discipline, develop, tutor, inform, instruct, train, cultivate, enlighten, rear, improve, foster, school, coach, mature, edify, indoctrinate, brief, explain, drill, brainwash

Nearby words

  1. edt,
  2. edta,
  3. edu,
  4. educ.,
  5. educable,
  6. educated,
  7. educated guess, an,
  8. educatee,
  9. education,
  10. educational

Origin of educate

1580–90; < Latin ēducātus brought up, taught (past participle of ēducāre), equivalent to ē- e-1 + -duc- lead + -ātus -ate1
Related formso·ver·ed·u·cate, verb (used with object), o·ver·ed·u·cat·ed, o·ver·ed·u·cat·ing.pre·ed·u·cate, verb (used with object), pre·ed·u·cat·ed, pre·ed·u·cat·ing.

Synonym study

1. See teach.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for educate

British Dictionary definitions for educate

educate

/ (ˈɛdjʊˌkeɪt) /

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to impart knowledge by formal instruction to (a pupil); teach
to provide schooling for (children)I have educated my children at the best schools
to improve or develop (a person, judgment, taste, skills, etc)
to train for some particular purpose or occupation

Word Origin for educate

C15: from Latin ēducāre to rear, educate, from dūcere to lead
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
Word Origin and History for educate

educate

v.

mid-15c., "bring up (children), train," from Latin educatus, past participle of educare "bring up, rear, educate," which is related to educere "bring out, lead forth," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + ducere "to lead" (see duke (n.)). Meaning "provide schooling" is first attested 1580s. Related: Educated; educating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper