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.

If third-graders as a group combined for a score of zero, then third-graders, on average, would be scoring at grade level on the English language arts portion of the state’s standardized tests.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

In the year prior to the pandemic, in English language arts, 77% of the school’s students tested as far below proficient — the lowest category.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2023

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

From Seattle Times • Nov. 5, 2023

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

The Monday following Thanksgiving break, Catherine and I roll into Miss Gordon's language arts class a few minutes before the bell.

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