thesis

[ thee-sis ]

noun

, plural the·ses [thee, -seez].

1. a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections:

   He vigorously defended his thesis on the causes of war.

   Synonyms: proposal, contention, theory

2. a subject for a composition or essay.
3. a dissertation on a particular subject in which one has done original research, as one presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree.
4. Music. the downward stroke in conducting; downbeat. Compare arsis ( def 1 ).
5. Prosody.
   1. a part of a metrical foot that does not bear the ictus or stress.
   2. (less commonly) the part of a metrical foot that bears the ictus. Compare arsis ( def 2 ).
6. Philosophy. Hegelian dialectic

thesis

/ ˈθiːsɪs /

noun

1. a dissertation resulting from original research, esp when submitted by a candidate for a degree or diploma
2. a doctrine maintained or promoted in argument
3. a subject for a discussion or essay
4. an unproved statement, esp one put forward as a premise in an argument
5. music the downbeat of a bar, as indicated in conducting
6. (in classical prosody) the syllable or part of a metrical foot not receiving the ictus Compare arsis
7. philosophy the first stage in the Hegelian dialectic, that is challenged by the antithesis

thesis

1. The central idea in a piece of writing, sometimes contained in a topic sentence .

Word History and Origins

Origin of thesis¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek thésis “a setting down, something set down,” equivalent to the- (stem of tithénai “to put, set down”) + -sis noun suffix; -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of thesis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: a placing, from tithenai to place

Example Sentences

“It presumes the ultimate thesis, which is, we don’t know what we’re doing here, or why we’re here,” Mandvi says.

From Los Angeles Times

My approach to planning a restaurant and creating recipes is similar to structuring a thesis or an essay.

From Salon

My university experience involved a lot of constructing arguments and developing a thesis, which has helped me in the kitchen.

From Salon

I don’t have classes anymore; I’m entering the research phase of my program where I’m working on my thesis.

From Slate

"There's absolutely no way that I would task myself in trying to give the ultimate or comprehensive thesis of Africa - that's crazy!" she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• contention
• hypothesis
• opinion
• premise
• proposition
• supposition
• theory