social studies

American  

noun

1. a course of instruction in an elementary or secondary school comprising such subjects as history, geography, civics, etc.

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social studies British  

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the study of how people live and organize themselves in society, embracing geography, history, economics, and other subjects

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Etymology

Origin of social studies

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Amanda Barnett, who co-founded the $21,500-a-year school three years ago, said the holdback program includes college visits and, in place of social studies, “an athletic personal development program” that covers NIL strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Experts in Oklahoma education also questioned how much any changes in social studies standards would actually make a difference on the ground.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

In one episode, the board rejected a state-sanctioned social studies curriculum that mentioned gay rights activist Harvey Milk but then reversed course.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2025

A prestigious social studies institute in Paris recently sent its students a warning, following reports of foreigners being questioned about their political beliefs and refused entry.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2025

My sixth-grade social studies teacher once instructed us to use only library books to complete one of our projects.

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks