study

1 of 2

noun

ˈstə-dē 

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 weaknesses

—Jane 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 study

—Marcia 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

: endeavor, try

transitive verb

1

: to read in detail especially with the intention of learning

2

: to engage in the study of

study biology

3

: plot, design

4

: to consider attentively or in detail

studying his face for a reaction

studier

ˈstə-dē-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• delving
• disquisition
• examen
• examination
• exploration
• inquest
• inquiry
• inquisition
• investigation
• probation
• probe
• probing
• research

Verb

• bone (up)

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

And, as studies and Bartell reminded me, most PFAS exposure comes from dietary intake, like drinking water contaminated with PFAS. —Lisa Wood Shapiro, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2024

In the United States, it’s estimated that about three per cent of books published annually are translations, and less than five per cent of the titles reviewed in the New York Times Book Review, according to one study, were originally written in languages other than English. —Max Norman, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

Verb

Bald and tired, Harley studied frantically from his hospital bed, clinging to schoolwork as a handhold on life. —Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 8 Dec. 2024

What comes next is impossible to know As a second son not poised to take up his father’s mantle, Assad studied ophthalmology in London until his older brother Bassel, who had been groomed to succeed Hafez, died in a car crash in 1994. —Simone McCarthy, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing study

• brown study
• case study
• course of study
• fast/quick study
• feasibility study
• independent study
• make a study of
• self-study
• slow study
• study hall
• work-study program

Kids Definition

study

1 of 2 noun

ˈstəd-ē 

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