Top Definitions
Quiz
Examples
British

Ph.D.

[ pee-eych-dee ]

/ ˈpiˌeɪtʃˈdi /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for Ph.D. on Thesaurus.com

abbreviation, noun, plural Ph.D.s

the highest degree, a doctorate, awarded by a graduate school in a field of academic study, usually to a person who has completed at least three years of graduate study and a dissertation approved by a committee of professors.

a person who has been awarded this degree.

VIDEO FOR PH.D.

When Did The Word "Doctor" Become Medical?

The roots of the word "doctor" don’t have anything to do with medical practice. So when did this word start describing those in the medical field?

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also called Doctor of Philosophy [dok-teruhv fi-los-uh-fee] /ˈdɒk tər əv fɪˈlɒs ə fi/ .

Origin of Ph.D.

First recorded in 1870–75; from Latin Philosophiae Doctor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Ph.D. in a sentence

He also bragged about earning a PhD, a point Smerconish did not question.
The Price of Steve Scalise’s Silence|Jason Berry|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Even his nametag played up his dweeby nature, labeling him “Mr. Gruber, PhD.”
Obamacare Architect: I Wanted to Sound Smart|Ben Jacobs|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Throughout her life, she faced public ridicule, legal persecution and, eventually, redemption through a PhD in clinical sexology.
Whip It: Secrets of a Dominatrix|Justin Jones|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It is impossible by elections to choose normal people,” argues Yoram Gat, an Israeli software engineer with a PhD in statistics.
Is It Time to Take a Chance on Random Representatives?|Michael Schulson|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The son of Taiwanese immigrants, he grew up in California and earned his PhD in neuroscience at Stanford.
Meet the One Numbers-Cruncher Who Foresees Democrats Holding the Senate|Linda Killian|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Damn few of them got it from me, I'm happy to say, and those that did, knew more about the subject than most PhD's.
Revenge|Arthur Porges
It was a great diversion from the late nights working on my PhD.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for Ph.D.

PhD

abbreviation for

Doctor of PhilosophyAlso: DPhil

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