anthropology

noun

an·​thro·​pol·​o·​gy ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jē 

1

: the science of human beings

especially : the study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

2

: theology dealing with the origin, nature, and destiny of human beings

anthropological

ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

anthropologically

ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

anthropologist

ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jist 

noun

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The Origin of Anthropology

The word anthropology dates back to the late 16th century, but it was not until the 19th century that it was applied to the academic discipline that now bears its name. In the United States, this field of study is typically divided into four distinct branches: physical (or biological) anthropology, archaeology, cultural (or social) anthropology, and linguistic anthropology.

Anthropology is from the New Latin word anthropologia (“the study of humanity”) and shares its ultimate root in Greek, anthrōpos (“human being”), with a number of other words in English, such as anthropomorphize, philanthropy, and misanthrope.

Examples of anthropology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Join 3 others in the comments View Comments The only way to prove Neanderthals lived in what’s now China is for paleontologists working there to find a Neanderthal fossil in China, said John Shea, a professor of anthropology at Stony Brook University in New York. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025

Before joining the Discover team as an assistant editor in 2022, Sam studied journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. human origins fossils archaeology anthropology 1 free article left Want More? —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025

This is significant because research across disciplines — from anthropology to organizational science — has shown that people develop attachment to places, not spaces. —Alanah Mitchell, The Conversation, 17 Jan. 2025

Rob Hefner, a professor of anthropology and global affairs at Boston University’s Pardee School of Global Affairs, doesn’t think politics is replacing religion. —John Scott Lewinski, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin anthropologia "study of humanity, science of human nature," from anthropo- anthropo- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing anthropology

• cultural anthropology
• physical anthropology

Rhymes for anthropology

• aetiology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology
• egyptology

Kids Definition

anthropology

noun

an·​thro·​pol·​o·​gy ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jē 

: the science of human beings and especially of their physical characteristics, their origin, their environment and social relations, and their culture

anthropological

-pə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

anthropologist

-ˈpäl-ə-jəst 

noun

Medical Definition

anthropology

noun

an·​thro·​pol·​o·​gy ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jē 

plural anthropologies

: the science of humans

especially : the study of humans in relation to distribution, origin, classification, and relationship of races, physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

anthropological

-pə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

anthropologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

anthropologist

ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jəst 

noun