docent

noun

do·​cent ˈdō-sᵊnt  dō(t)-ˈsent 

1

: a college or university teacher or lecturer

2

: a person who leads guided tours especially through a museum or art gallery

Did you know?

The title of docent is used in many countries for what Americans would call an associate professor—that is, a college or university teacher who has been given tenure but hasn't yet achieved the rank of full professor. But in the U.S. a docent is a guide who works at a museum, a historical site, or even a zoo or a park. Docents are usually volunteers, and their services are often free of charge.

Examples of docent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Del Cerro resident spent her childhood in Coronado and works with the Coronado Historical Association as a docent. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025

Junior rangers: Kids ages 6 to 10 years old can earn a Nature Ranger certificate after following a series of activities led by docents from 9 to 11 a.m. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025

In another Seal Society educational activity, docents spent several hours Feb. 23 with 10 Girl Scouts ages 8-11 and their leaders. —Carol Archibald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025

Art docent Izzy Delling will lead the hands-on workshop; supplies will be provided. —Debby Rice, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete German (now Dozent), from Latin docent-, docens, present participle of docēre — see docile

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1