syllabus

noun

syl·​la·​bus ˈsi-lə-bəs 

plural syllabi ˈsi-lə-ˌbī 

-ˌbē

or syllabuses

1

: a summary outline of a discourse, treatise, or course of study or of examination requirements

2

: headnote sense 2

Examples of syllabus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This turns any text into a kind of springboard or syllabus. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 17 June 2025

All of this can account for the growing syllabus of novels, non-fiction, and plays to be found in Anderson’s own canon. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025

The life of a teacher is one of hard work, low pay and little respect — a syllabus with all the elements of sitcom success. —Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025

This passion, more than any syllabus, is what engendered my own dedication. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, alteration of Latin sillybus label for a book, from Greek sillybos

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

syllabus

noun

syl·​la·​bus ˈsil-ə-bəs 

plural syllabi -ˌbī 

-ˌbē

or syllabuses

: a brief outline (as of a course of study)