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

Acknowledging the role school librarians play in that effort, the new media literacy law directs state officials to incorporate model library standards in the K-12 English language arts curriculum next year.

From Washington Times • Dec. 5, 2023

Longtime history and language arts teacher Heather Drane also left this year.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 5, 2023

History class is even better than language arts class, even though the teacher, a man named Mr. Dimming, has none of Miss Gordon’s spark.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper

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