middle school

noun

1. a school intermediate between elementary school and high school, usually encompassing grades five or six through eight.

middle school

noun

1. (in England and Wales) a school for children aged between 8 or 9 and 12 or 13 Compare first school

Word History and Origins

Origin of middle school¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Both programs are housed on the campus of bigger middle schools.

From Los Angeles Times

Alexander hails from Mississippi but attended elementary school, middle school and part of high school in Oxnard.

From Los Angeles Times

Elaine Younger's son goes to one of three middle schools which are due to close.

From BBC

They're willing to have a lower standard for the president than they would have for their own elementary or middle school staff.

From Salon

“When I was in middle school, I might have straightened my hair, and now I’m making it as big as I can — redefining the beauty standards that were put on me,” Thoms says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• junior high
• secondary school