homework

American  

[hohm-wurk] / ˈhoʊmˌwɜrk /

noun

1. schoolwork assigned to be done outside the classroom (distinguished from classwork ).

2. a single assignment of such schoolwork: Homeworks are due at the beginning of class.

3. paid work done at home, as piecework.

4. thorough preparatory study of a subject.

   to do one's homework for the next committee meeting.

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homework British  

/ ˈhəʊmˌwɜːk /

noun

1. school work done out of lessons, esp at home

2. any preparatory study

3. work done at home for pay

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homework Idioms  

1. see do one's homework.

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Etymology

Origin of homework

First recorded in 1675–85; home + work

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

Ma cautioned that Japan has "homework" to do, including on production capacity, skilled labour, second- and third-tier suppliers, certification, testing, maintenance support and the ability to "deliver on time".

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

“If you’ve done your homework, you know that shirt is from the ’60s,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

But all of that says little about this film’s take on the pop machine, other than that Lowery did his homework to perfect an aesthetic.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026

Sunak, who is also a senior adviser at investment bank Goldman Sachs, said concerns about the development of Mythos showed "we shouldn't rely on companies to mark their own homework".

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

That evening Masahiro brought Sadako’s homework from school.

From "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr

Related Words

• arrangement
• construction
• education
• establishment
• formation
• groundwork
• measure
• plan
• precaution
• preparedness
• qualification
• rehearsal
• study
• training