education

[ ej-oo-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

   Synonyms: learning, schooling, instruction

2. the act or process of imparting or acquiring particular knowledge or skills, as for a profession.
3. a degree, level, or kind of schooling:

   a university education.

4. the result produced by instruction, training, or study:

   to show one's education.

   Synonyms: enlightenment, knowledge, learning

5. the science or art of teaching; pedagogics.

education

/ ˌɛdjʊˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of acquiring knowledge, esp systematically during childhood and adolescence
2. the knowledge or training acquired by this process

   his education has been invaluable to him

3. the act or process of imparting knowledge, esp at a school, college, or university

   education is my profession

4. the theory of teaching and learning

   a course in education

5. a particular kind of instruction or training

   a university education

   consumer education

Other Words From

• anti·edu·cation adjective
• noned·u·cation noun
• over·edu·cation noun
• preed·u·cation noun
• proed·u·cation adjective
• super·edu·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of education¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French, from Latin ēducātiōn-, stem of ēducātiō “a rearing, bringing up,” literally “a leading out,” equivalent to ēducāt(us) ( educate ) + -iō -ion

Synonym Study

Education, training imply a discipline and development by means of study and learning. Education is the development of the abilities of the mind (learning to know): a liberal education. Training is practical education (learning to do) or practice, usually under supervision, in some art, trade, or profession: training in art, teacher training. Education, culture are often used interchangeably to mean the results of schooling. Education, however, suggests chiefly the information acquired. Culture is a mode of thought and feeling encouraged by education. It suggests an aspiration toward, and an appreciation of high intellectual and esthetic ideals: The level of culture in a country depends upon the education of its people.

Example Sentences

Jackson, they wrote, was “ignorant, inexperienced” and a “man of no labor, no patience . . . wholly unqualified by education, habit and temper for the station of the president.”

From Salon

He said the university remained "committed to student education and experience, and we will work hard to limit any impact on students".

From BBC

He did not prosper in Britain’s selective education system of the time, which streamed children’s academic futures via an examination at age 11.

From New York Times

It is part of an agenda driven by conservative parental rights groups and politicians who promote charter schools and voucher systems that could weaken public education.

From Los Angeles Times

“I only had a high school education at that time. We had the plan that once our youngest turned 5, I would start my academic process. But he died when our youngest was only 2.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• culture
• discipline
• improvement
• information
• learning
• literacy
• scholarship
• schooling
• science
• study
• teaching
• training

More About Education

What is a basic definition of education?

Education is both the act of teaching knowledge to others and the act of receiving knowledge from someone else. Education also refers to the knowledge received through schooling or instruction and to the institution of teaching as a whole. Education has a few other senses as a noun.

Education is a word that covers both the act of instructing and the act of learning. It usually refers specifically to the teaching of children or younger people and the learning done by them.

Real-life examples: Elementary schools, high schools, and colleges are institutions focused on education: People are taught important information and life skills at these places. Medical schools, law schools, and driving schools provide more specialized forms of education.

Used in a sentence: The proper education of children is considered important in every country. 

Related to this sense, education refers to the specific level or type of instruction a person has received.

Used in a sentence: He has a high school education. 

Education also means the specific knowledge or scholarship a person has acquired from being taught.

Real-life examples: Doctors have an education in medicine. Chemists have an education in chemistry. Bankers have an education in finance or economics.

Used in a sentence: She has an education in languages and is fluent in French and Italian. 

Education is also used to refer to the process or institution of teaching in general.

Real-life examples: Most teachers have college degrees in education. Nations often devote a portion of their budget to education.

Used in a sentence: My brother decided to pursue a career in education.

Where does education come from?

The first records of education come from around 1525. It comes from the Latin ēducātiōn-. Education combines the verb educate, meaning “to teach or to train,” and the suffix -ion, which turns a verb into a noun.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to education?

• antieducation (adjective)
• noneducation (noun)
• overeducation (noun)
• preeducation (noun)
• proeducation (adjective)
• supereducation (noun)

What are some synonyms for education?

• teaching
• learning
• schooling
• study
• instruction

What are some words that share a root or word element with education? 

• educate
• educational
• educator
• educative

What are some words that often get used in discussing education?

• elementary school
• high school
• college
• university
• jobs
• support
• patient

How is education used in real life?

Education is a common word used to refer to teaching and learning. Almost everyone agrees that a person should receive some form of education.

For 80% of foreign business executives, the education and training of France's workforce make France attractive for foreign investment.

— Gérard Araud (@GerardAraud) May 11, 2017

Too many of our young people cannot afford a college education and those who are leaving college are faced with crushing debt.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 24, 2015

We need to continuously invest in education. That means early childhood education, AP classes, and investing in New York City’s teachers.

— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) November 15, 2017

 

 

Try using education!

True or False?

If a person has a college education, that means they have gained knowledge and instruction at a college.