study

1 of 2

noun

plural studies
1
: a state of contemplation : reverie
2
a
: application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge
years of study
b
: such application in a particular field or to a specific subject
the study of Latin
c
: careful or extended consideration
the proposal is under study
d(1)
: a careful examination or analysis of a phenomenon, development, or question
(2)
: the published report of such a study
3
: a building or room devoted to study or literary pursuits
4
: purpose, intent
it has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknessesJane Austen
5
a
: a branch or department of learning : subject
often used in plural
American studies
b
: the activity or work of a student
returning to her studies after vacation
c
: an object of study or deliberation
every gesture a careful studyMarcia Davenport
d
: something attracting close attention or examination
6
: a person who learns or memorizes something (such as a part in a play)
usually used with a qualifying adjective
he's a quick study
7
: a literary or artistic production intended as a preliminary outline, an experimental interpretation, or an exploratory analysis of specific features or characteristics
8
: a musical composition for the practice of a point of technique

study

2 of 2

verb

studied; studying

intransitive verb

1
a
: to engage in study
b
: to undertake formal study of a subject
2
dialect : meditate, reflect
3

transitive verb

1
: to read in detail especially with the intention of learning
2
: to engage in the study of
study biology
3
4
: to consider attentively or in detail
studying his face for a reaction
studier noun
Choose the Right Synonym for study

consider, study, contemplate, weigh mean to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision.

consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

weigh the pros and cons of the case

Examples of study in a Sentence

Noun Becoming a doctor requires years of study. You can improve your knowledge of the natural world by study and observation. She will return to her studies after vacation. He left the service to pursue his studies. The agency conducted an environmental study. He took part in a study of childhood obesity. The study of the new drug will be published next year. Verb Did you study for the test? She's studying to be a teacher. I studied the request carefully. She was studying his face for a reaction. The proposal was studied in great detail. The effects of the drug have never been thoroughly studied.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Another recent 2023 study by Edelman found that 53% of consumers believe that trusting a brand is the second most important factor in their purchasing decisions, just after price. Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Desperate to save her daughter, Bea enters into a volunteer study to live as a hunter-gatherer in the Wilderness State. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024
Verb
But what’s really been missing is a different lens to study leadership that integrates the stories and the conventional wisdom, but also checks it through the transparency of big data. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Fuller has spent the better part of a decade studying some of the world’s most successful people, from Fortune 500 executives to Nobel Prize laureates. Morgan Smith, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for study 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'study.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English studie, from Anglo-French estudie, from Latin studium, from studēre to devote oneself, study; probably akin to Latin tundere to beat — more at contusion

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of study was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near study

Cite this Entry

“Study.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/study. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

study

1 of 2 noun
plural studies
1
: a state of thinking about something steadily : reverie
2
a
: use of the mind to acquire knowledge
years of study
b
: careful or prolonged consideration
the proposed change is under study
c
: a careful examination or investigation of something
also : a report or publication based on such a study
3
: a building or room devoted to study, reading, or writing
4
a
: a division or area of learning : subject
American studies
b
: the actions or work of a student
returned to her studies after vacation
5
: a person who learns or memorizes something (as a part in a play)
usually used with an adjective
he's a quick study

study

2 of 2 verb
studied; studying
1
: to engage in study or the study of
studied hard
liked to study geography
2
: to give close attention to
study a part in a play
studied the request carefully

More from Merriam-Webster on study

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