language arts

American

[lang-gwij ahrts] / ˈlæŋ gwɪdʒ ˈɑrts /

noun

(used with a plural verb) the skills, including reading, composition, speech, spelling, and grammar, taught in elementary and secondary schools to give students a thorough proficiency in using the language.
(used with a singular verb) a core course of instruction in an elementary or secondary school where students develop these skills.

Etymology

Origin of language arts

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

Fewer than half of California students meet state standards in English language arts and math.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

Currently, high school students need 24 credits to graduate, and many of those credits are in core subjects such as language arts, social studies, math and science.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024

The lessons — a response to the pervasive use of social media by young people — will be incorporated in English language arts, mathematics, science, history and social science curricula.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2024

History and language arts teacher Heather Drane also left this year, after she was informed she would be involuntarily moved to a different school after 18 years in the same one.

From Washington Times • Nov. 5, 2023

Then I got nervous and we started talking about the book we’re reading in language arts class.

From "P.S. I Miss You" by Jen Petro-Roy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023