scholarship

American  

[skol-er-ship] / ˈskɒl ərˌʃɪp /

noun

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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Related Words

See learning.

Etymology

Origin of scholarship

First recorded in 1525–35; scholar + -ship

Example Sentences

The compensation college athletes can receive happens on top of a five-year scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance for some athletes.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

The past year has produced an explosion of originalist scholarship on both sides.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Tolkan landed a scholarship to the college, but his academic career was short-lived, and he left to enlist in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Koch has spent more than 25 years around Apollo veterans through a scholarship foundation and Nasa remembrance events, and says that what the former astronauts have really taught her is camaraderie.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

In 1881, when he was sixteen, Rondon joined the army and earned a scholarship to the Military Academy in Rio de Janeiro, twelve hundred miles away from his home.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

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