scholarship

American  

[skol-er-ship] / ˈskɒl ərˌʃɪp /

noun

• scholarships
  plural

1. learning; knowledge acquired by study; the academic attainments of a scholar.

2. a sum of money or other aid granted to a student, because of merit, need, etc., to pursue their studies.

3. the position or status of a student who has been granted money or other aid to pursue their studies.

4. a foundation to provide financial assistance to students.

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scholarship British  

/ ˈskɒləʃɪp /

noun

1. academic achievement; erudition; learning

2. 1. financial aid provided for a scholar because of academic merit

   2. the position of a student who gains this financial aid

   3. ( as modifier )

      a scholarship student

3. the qualities of a scholar

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Synonym Usage

See learning.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• scholarships
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of scholarship

First recorded in 1525–35; scholar + -ship

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Explanation

Scholarship is the research done by academics. Or if you receive a scholarship, you're getting an award that will help pay the cost of tuition at school. If you're getting ready for college, chances are you're also looking to see if any scholarships are available. A scholarship is a great thing to get: it means you don't have to pay full tuition to go to a school. Scholarships are awarded for good grades, athletic success, and other accomplishments. Once you get in to school, you'll be engaged in another kind of scholarship — the kind that has to do with research, studying, and higher learning.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scholarship scholarships

He just received a scholarship offer from UCLA.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

He later won a scholarship to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School launching a career that would take him from Yorkshire to the world stage.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

Their paths diverged when they were in their teens: Marlowe won a scholarship to Cambridge, while Shakespeare’s formal education likely ended.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

In college, Jackson played football at the University of Iowa and graduated without student debt thanks to a scholarship.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

I received confirmation the next day: I’d won the scholarship.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

They struck down laws in Minnesota and Maine that denied scholarships or school funds to students who enrolled in a religious school.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

Your kids have options for college: loans, scholarships, grants, in-state schools, two years at a community college, a part-time job.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

The 2025 University Funding Law calls for inflation-linked salary increases dated to December 2023, as well as the restoration of student scholarships and more funding for university operations.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

As part of the deal, Tishman Speyer will make ground lease payments to the Cooper Union which the college wants to use to finance "a bold plan to restore full-tuition scholarships for all undergraduates".

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The way to do this was first to win one of the few scholarships available to an undergraduate and then to gain election, after a few years, to a Fellowship of the college.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

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Related Words

• assistance
• award
• charity
• donation
• fellowship
• financial aid
• reward

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