homeschool
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
Usage
What does homeschool mean? To homeschool means to educate children at home instead of sending them to a school, especially on a permanent or long-term basis. Children who are homeschooled are taught by homeschoolers (their parent or other guardian) and the practice of doing so is called homeschooling. This is often contrasted with traditional forms of schooling in which children go to a public or private school with other children in a physical location. Other forms of education that can happen at home, such as distance learning and online classes, are not typically called homeschooling. Homeschooling is usually understood as when the parent or guardian is the one doing the teaching. Homeschool is sometimes spelled home-school or home school. It can also be used as a noun to mean a school set up at home. Example: Parents who homeschool their children often plan social activities with other children, but critics say this does not replace the socialization that occurs in traditional schooling.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of homeschool
First recorded in 1770–80 homeschool for def. 3 and in 1980–85 for current senses; home ( def. ) + school 1 ( def. )
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.
Parents who opt not to vaccinate due to their beliefs can homeschool their children and enroll them in independent study, provided they do not “receive classroom-based instruction.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2026
When Newby ran for the Supreme Court in 2004, he focused on turning out church and homeschool communities, voters to whom he had deep ties.
From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2025
She left her job as a teacher to homeschool her five children, and the family relied on her husband’s salary as a pediatric nurse to make ends meet.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2024
Seana-lee said she was nervous to homeschool Millie-Rae because her family were against it.
From BBC ● Jan. 11, 2024
“I’ve reviewed your homeschool records and your achievement tests. They’re all very impressive. We don’t have any grades from East Hamlin Middle yet.”
From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty
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.
