ethnography

[ eth-nog-ruh-fee ]

noun

1. a branch of anthropology dealing with the scientific description of individual cultures.

ethnography

/ ˌɛθnəʊˈɡræfɪk; ɛθˈnɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. the branch of anthropology that deals with the scientific description of individual human societies

ethnography

/ ĕth-nŏg′rə-fē /

1. The branch of anthropology that deals with the scientific description of specific human cultures.

Derived Forms

• ˌethnoˈgraphically, adverb
• ethnographic, adjective
• ˌethˈnographer, noun

Other Words From

• eth·nog·ra·pher noun
• eth·no·graph·ic [eth-n, uh, -, graf, -ik], eth·no·graph·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethnography¹

First recorded in 1825–35; ethno- + -graphy

Example Sentences

At Ipsos we use focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnography, and neuroscience tools to uncover why voters feel the way they do.

From Salon

“Accordion Eulogies” is as much a musical ethnography as it is a book about Álvarez’s family.

From Seattle Times

“My Two Voices” is an ethnography of sorts, but unlike most entries in the genre, this one focuses on sounds and sensations rather than faces.

From New York Times

It also bears mentioning that much of the research into exercise physiology, paleoanthropology, archaeology and ethnography has historically been conducted by men and focused on males.

From Scientific American

Released on Sept. 15, his new album, “World of Hassle,” is a glittering, global ethnography of 1980s pop.

From Los Angeles Times