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

Frankl became a friend and mentor to Eger, who taught middle-school social studies in El Paso and later earned a Ph.D. in psychology from Saybrook University.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 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

This data makes sense to Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme, an associate professor in social studies and legal studies at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, where her area of  expertise is the sociology of religion.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2025

"I don't really feel so scared," says Alvin Rose, 19, a social studies student, having a snack in Vaksala Square, just around the corner from where the shootings happened.

From BBC • May 3, 2025

After the bell rang, Miss Ehlis, my English and social studies teacher, began to take roll.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez