syllabus

[ sil-uh-buhs ]

/ ˈsɪl ə bəs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for syllabus on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural syl·la·bus·es, syl·la·bi

[sil-uh-bahy]. /ˈsɪl əˌbaɪ/.

an outline or other brief statement of the main points of a discourse, the subjects of a course of lectures, the contents of a curriculum, etc.

Law.

a short summary of the legal basis of a court's decision appearing at the beginning of a reported case.
a book containing summaries of the leading cases in a legal field, used especially by students.

(often initial capital letter)Also called Syllabus of Errors. Roman Catholic Church. the list of 80 propositions condemned as erroneous by Pope Pius IX in 1864.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of syllabus

1650–60; <New Latin syllabus, syllabos, probably a misreading (in manuscripts of Cicero) of Greek síttybās, accusative plural of síttyba label for a papyrus roll

Words nearby syllabus

syllable, syllable-timed, syllabogram, syllabography, syllabub, syllabus, syllepsis, syllogism, syllogist, syllogistic, syllogize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use syllabus in a sentence

Aviators from the Air Force and Navy often start their training flying on a Northrop T-38 jet, often using a similar syllabus to one that’s been around since the 1960s.
Fighter pilots will don AR helmets to train with imaginary enemies|Pranshu Verma|August 4, 2022|Washington Post
While the adults sorted the logistics, the teen got to work designing a syllabus and lesson plans.
Kid of the Year Finalist Lujain Alqattawi, 13, Teaches English to Kids in Refugee Camps|Eloise Barry|January 26, 2022|Time
Chicken said they plan to emphasize the mask recommendation in syllabi and other places, and remind students not to come to class if they feel sick.
As college campuses reopen, many faculty worry about covid|Susan Svrluga|August 24, 2021|Washington Post
It is also unclear how grading decisions will be made, and whether new teachers can remake the syllabus or change the weight given to different factors, like tests or homework.
‘One More Hugely Disruptive Thing’: Teachers to Leave Mid-Year Under Retirement Deal|Ashly McGlone|November 5, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Microsoft has helped create the syllabus for the students and has also made its e-learning digital literacy modules available to Grab’s drivers.
CEO Anthony Tan says Grab is partnering with Microsoft to reskill drivers|eamonbarrett|October 27, 2020|Fortune
Yep, you read that right: The glamorous world of global influence peddling just got its own syllabus.
Earn Your Degree in… Lobbying?|Michelle Cottle|April 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The syllabus hints that discussions will touch on marketing, religion, gay culture, sex, and gender.
Miley Cyrus Twerk 101 and College Classes About Celebrities|Marina Watts|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Here are ten books that belong on any syllabus of self-transformation.
New Year’s Reading List: Books to Transform Your Sad Life|David Masciotra|January 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If there is a theme that runs through Hagel's syllabus choices, it's a pretty realpolitik one.
Hagel the Academic Hack|Justin Green|January 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Some of us has botanised, and some's collected butterflies, and one and all we've read the books set down for us in the Syllabus.
Mushroom Town|Oliver Onions
This syllabus harmonises with the development of all the faculties.
Mentally Defective Children|Alfred Binet
He is subject, but only in an extremely liberal fashion, to a programme or syllabus of studies.
The Cult of Incompetence|Emile Faguet
Much, however, depends upon the personal effort of the student, and the syllabus is intended to direct his private study.
The Arena|Various
I have prevailed on Dr. Priestley to undertake the work, of which this is only the syllabus or plan.
The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson Compiled From Family Letters and Reminiscences|Sarah N. Randolph

British Dictionary definitions for syllabus (1 of 2)

syllabus

/ (ˈsɪləbəs) /

noun plural -buses or -bi (-ˌbaɪ)

an outline of a course of studies, text, etc

British

the subjects studied for a particular course
a document which lists these subjects and states how the course will be assessed

Word Origin for syllabus

C17: from Late Latin, erroneously from Latin sittybus parchment strip giving title and author, from Greek sittuba

British Dictionary definitions for syllabus (2 of 2)

Syllabus

/ (ˈsɪləbəs) /

noun RC Church

Also called: Syllabus of Errors a list of 80 doctrinal theses condemned as erroneous by Pius IX in 1864

a list of 65 Modernist propositions condemned as erroneous by Pius X in 1907

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

syllabus

Origin of syllabus

Words nearby syllabus

Words related to syllabus

How to use syllabus in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for syllabus (1 of 2)

Word Origin for syllabus

British Dictionary definitions for syllabus (2 of 2)