home economics

American  

noun

1. the art and science of home management.

2. a college curriculum usually including studies in nutrition, the purchase, preparation, and service of food, interior design, clothing and textiles, child development, family relationships, and household economics.

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home economics British  

noun

1. (functioning as singular or plural) the study of diet, budgeting, child care, textiles, and other subjects concerned with running a home

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Other Word Forms

• home economist noun

Etymology

Origin of home economics

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

She competed in—and won—pageants and was active in her Baptist church, before getting a degree in home economics from the University of Kentucky.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Saturday morning the party launched a number of policies including a promise to bring down waits for NHS treatment to no more than a year, and reinstating home economics to schools.

From BBC

She was described as "academically minded" with a flair for English, French, home economics and geography.

From BBC

Janice says, “Well, I have to fill one science requirement and English, and I want to take home economics…”

From Salon

“It doesn’t,” replied Ms. Martin, who is also a Republican and taught home economics for 18 years at the Pittsburg School down the road.

From New York Times