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

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

Audiences, including the middle school social studies students, deserve better and more nuanced stories about this country and the values it was built upon.

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

He said he hadn’t even read the new social studies standards.

From Salon • Oct. 27, 2025

“I want to go talk to Mr. Lyons in his office. I need his help on an extra-credit social studies project.”

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein