learning

[ lur-ning ]

/ ˈlɜr nɪŋ /

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noun

knowledge acquired by systematic study in any field of scholarly application.

the act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill.

Psychology. the modification of behavior through practice, training, or experience.

Nearby words

learned helplessness, learned profession, learned society, learner, learner's chain, learning, learning curve, learning difficulties, learning disability, learning management system, learning resources center

Origin of learning

before 900; Middle English lerning, Old English leornung. See learn, -ing¹

SYNONYMS FOR learning

1 Learning, erudition, lore, scholarship refer to knowledge existing or acquired. Learning is the most general term. It may refer to knowledge obtained by systematic study or by trial and error: a man of learning; learning in the real world. Erudition suggests a thorough, formal, and profound sort of knowledge obtained by extensive research; it is especially applied to knowledge in fields other than those of mathematics and physical sciences: a man of vast erudition in languages. Lore is accumulated knowledge in a particular field, especially of a curious, anecdotal, or traditional nature; the word is now somewhat literary: nature lore; local lore. Scholarship is the formalized learning that is taught in schools, especially as actively employed by a person trying to master some field of knowledge or extend its bounds: high standards of scholarship in history.

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Related forms

un·learn·ing, adjective

Definition for learning (2 of 2)

learn

[ lurn ]

/ lɜrn /

verb (used with object), learned [lurnd] /lɜrnd/ or learnt, learn·ing.

to acquire knowledge of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience: to learn French; to learn to ski.

to become informed of or acquainted with; ascertain: to learn the truth.

to memorize: He learned the poem so he could recite it at the dinner.

to gain (a habit, mannerism, etc.) by experience, exposure to example, or the like; acquire: She learned patience from her father.

(of a device or machine, especially a computer) to perform an analogue of human learning with artificial intelligence.

Nonstandard. to instruct in; teach.

verb (used without object), learned [lurnd] /lɜrnd/ or learnt, learn·ing.

to acquire knowledge or skill: to learn rapidly.

to become informed (usually followed by of): to learn of an accident.

Origin of learn

before 900; Middle English lernen, Old English leornian to learn, read, ponder (cognate with German lernen); akin to lesan to glean (cognate with German lesen to read). See lear

Related forms

learn·a·ble, adjectivemis·learn, verb, mis·learned or mis·learnt, mis·learn·ing.out·learn, verb (used with object), out·learned or out·learnt, out·learn·ing.re·learn, verb, re·learned or re·learnt, re·learn·ing.

Can be confused

learn teach

Synonym study

1. Learn, ascertain, detect, discover imply adding to one's store of facts. To learn is to add to one's knowledge or information: to learn a language. To ascertain is to verify facts by inquiry or analysis: to ascertain the truth about an event. To detect implies becoming aware of something that had been obscure, secret, or concealed: to detect a flaw in reasoning. To discover is used with objective clauses as a synonym of learn in order to suggest that the new information acquired is surprising to the learner: I discovered that she had been married before.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for learning

What is most troubling is our – and I do mean “our” and not “their” – never treating these situations as learning opportunities.
In 2015, Let’s Try for More Compassion|Gene Robinson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In the absence of typical classrooms and curriculums, West Africans have opted for alternate methods of learning and education.
The Radio Battle to Educate Ebola’s Kids|Abby Haglage|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is honest about his religious doubts, but he is committed to learning more about God.
The Good Wife’s Religion Politics: Voters Have No Faith in Alicia's Atheism|Regina Lizik|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Glenn, Tara, and Rosita spend the episode, um, learning to fish.
The Walking Dead’s ‘Crossed’: The Stage Is Now Set for a Bloody, Deadly Midseason Finale|Melissa Leon|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Marilyn Johnson is a writer with a terrific capacity for learning.
The Real-Life Raiders of the Lost Ark|Alex Belth|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hermione, on the other hand, was gifted as a linguist, loving languages and learning them easily.
The Call of the Blood|Robert Smythe Hichens
I was a poor boy, and I strove for learning, strove hard, and found it worth the striving.
Lewis Rand|Mary Johnston
I have not the faintest ghost of an ear; but mother insists on my learning.
Light O' The Morning|L. T. Meade
Men of wit and learning employ themselves to celebrate his talents, and to express their approbation of his writings.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 13, Issue 350, January 3, 1829|Various
But when learning the above series by my method, it was kept in an active state.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)

British Dictionary definitions for learning (1 of 2)

learning

/ (ˈlɜːnɪŋ) /

noun

knowledge gained by study; instruction or scholarship

the act of gaining knowledge

psychol any relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs as a direct result of experience

British Dictionary definitions for learning (2 of 2)

learn

/ (lɜːn) /

verb learns, learning, learned (lɜːnd) or learnt

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to gain knowledge of (something) or acquire skill in (some art or practice)

(tr) to commit to memory

(tr) to gain by experience, example, etc

(intr; often foll by of or about) to become informed; know

not standard to teach

Derived Forms

learnable, adjective

Word Origin for learn

Old English leornian; related to Old High German lirnen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for learning

learning

[ lûr′nĭng ]

n.

The act, process, or experience of gaining knowledge or skill.

Knowledge or skill gained through schooling or study.

Behavioral modification, especially through experience or conditioning.

Idioms and Phrases with learning

learn

In addition to the idioms beginning with learn

learn by heart
learn one's lesson
learn to live with

also see:

by heart, learn
little knowledge (learning) is a dangerous thing
live and learn