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

See Examples For:

social studies

It feels more like something to be watched on the AV rig in a middle school social studies class.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

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

Adopted this year, the state’s new social studies standards provide even more specifics about what should be taught.

From Salon ● Oct. 27, 2025

Miranda couldn’t afford a replacement, and his social studies teacher, unimpressed with the script he submitted, awarded him a B-.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2025

It was like he’d used up all his focus on the social studies test.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix