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.

Related Words

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