teach-in
Americannoun
-
teach-ins
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of teach-in
First recorded in 1960–65; see origin at -in 3
Explanation
A teach-in is a forum or discussion that focuses on a specific political issue and involves audience participation. The first teach-ins were held during the Vietnam War. Unlike a more formal lecture, a teach-in isn't only intended to educate, but is organized to invite questions and discussion. Most teach-ins focus on controversial or complex topics, and they usually include brainstorming about practical action participants can take. Besides anti-war teach-ins, they might center on corporate power, environmental issues, or racism. A University of Michigan anthropologist is credited with coining teach-in in 1965, inspired by sit-in.
Vocabulary lists containing teach-in
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Had the district wanted to end it, it would have monitored classrooms during the teach-in, disciplined those who imposed their own beliefs, and interviewed some of the Jewish families that pursued interdistrict transfers, she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2025
The encampment was initially free of violence, with protesters engaged in teach-in, art builds, yoga and other activities.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2024
A film screening was held after midnight; there was a teach-in.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 18, 2024
The teach-in was organized by a group of activists within the local teachers’ union, the Oakland Education Association.
From New York Times ● Dec. 6, 2023
Scientists Rebellion, the group which chained themselves to George V Bridge in Glasgow on Saturday leading to 21 arrests, has said it will be back at the same location later to do a "teach-in" protest.
From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2021
Another student organization, TransparUNCy, has organized boycotts and teach-ins opposing the school.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 21, 2026
Initially, the UC encampments were peaceful gathering spots for teach-ins, art projects and other pro-Palestinian solidarity activities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2024
It has held hours of programming each day, including rallies, teach-ins, craft workshops for protest art and visits from guest speakers.
From Salon ● May 20, 2024
Nelson, after touring the spill site, had the idea of doing a national “teach-in” on the environment, similar to teach-ins being held on some college campuses at the time to oppose the war in Vietnam.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 17, 2024
He began touring the country during his first year at Harvard on an antiwar lecture circuit, taking part in teach-ins with the high-profile activists Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky.
From New York Times ● Oct. 23, 2022
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
