Ph.D.

[ pee-eych-dee ]

abbreviation for

, plural Ph.D.s

1. the highest degree, a doctorate, awarded by a graduate school in a field of academic study, usually to a person who has completed at least three years of graduate study and a dissertation approved by a committee of professors.
2. a person who has been awarded this degree.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ph.D.¹

First recorded in 1870–75; from Latin Philosophiae Doctor

Example Sentences

Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, former post-doctoral fellow at SickKids, and the study's lead author.

From Science Daily

This poses questions for our understanding of "normal" tissues, according to principal investigator Nicholas Navin, Ph.D., chair of Systems Biology.

From Science Daily

Hashini Perera, Ph.D. student and lead author of the study from the Advanced Technology Institute at the University of Surrey, said:

From Science Daily

He did have academic bona fides: a Ph.D. from Yale and experience in university administration, running the tiny Midland University in Nebraska.

From New York Times

"People are increasingly enjoying recreating in nature, which is fantastic," said lead author Ellie Bolas, a Ph.D. candidate in the UC Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• alum
• alumna
• alumnus
• doctor
• grad
• recipient