lyceum
noun
an institution for popular education providing discussions, lectures, concerts, etc.
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lyceum
American
[lahy-see-uhm]
/ laɪˈsi əm /
noun
-
an institution for popular education providing discussions, lectures, concerts, etc.
-
a building for such activities.
-
(initial capital letter) the gymnasium where Aristotle taught, in ancient Athens.
-
a lycée.
lyceum
1
British
/ laɪˈsɪəm /
noun
-
a public building for concerts, lectures, etc
-
a cultural organization responsible for presenting concerts, lectures, etc
-
another word for lycée
Lyceum
2
British
/ laɪˈsɪəm /
noun
-
a school and sports ground of ancient Athens: site of Aristotle's discussions with his pupils
-
the Aristotelian school of philosophy
Etymology
Origin of lyceum
First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin Lycēum, Lycīum, from Greek Lýkeion place in Athens, so named from the neighboring temple of Apollo; noun use of neuter of lýkeios, epithet of Apollo, variously explained
Vocabulary lists containing lyceum
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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.
See Examples For:
When someone asked about “pét nat” wines—short for pétillant naturel, a trendy sparkling variety—one young techie pulled faces that would trigger expulsion from a Swiss lyceum.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026
He won his baccalaureate, and for four years taught history at a lyceum in Hanoi.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Sisters of Charity and the Christian Brothers have schools at Port-au-Prince, where there is also a lyceum, a medical and a law school.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various
Among the many subjects that Doctor Holmes touched upon in these lyceum lectures was a fine, witty, and remarkably just criticism on the English Poets of the Nineteenth Century.
From Life of Oliver Wendell Holmes by E. E. Brown
They establish the habits of thinking for the majority of the people, for they are the lyceum where all questions are discussed that interest the people.
From The Leaven in a Great City by Lillian William Betts
Typical breaks include traditional seaside destinations including Cleethorpes, Filey, and Butlins in Skegness, as well as an annual festive trip to the Lyceum Theatre for the Christmas pantomime.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
Haig began writing a version of the script shortly after the play debuted at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh in May 2014.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026
Glass, a 2018 Kennedy Center honoree, composed his symphony partially based on Lincoln’s 1838 Lyceum address.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026
Sheffield Theatres is the organisation that runs the Crucible, the Lyceum Theatre, the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse and theatre and arts centre, the Montgomery.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2025
The Lyceum is only a few blocks away; I'd practically have to ride past it on my way home.
From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse
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