tutelage

noun

tu·​te·​lage ˈtü-tə-lij 

ˈtyü-

1

a

: instruction especially of an individual

b

: a guiding influence

a business under the tutelage of a new director

2

: the state of being under a guardian or tutor

3

a

: an act or process of serving as guardian or protector : guardianship

b

: hegemony over a foreign territory : trusteeship sense 2

Did you know?

The Latin verb tueri means "to look at" or "to guard." When tutelage first began appearing in print in the early 1600s, it was used mainly in the protective sense of tueri, as writers described serfs and peasants of earlier eras as being "under the tutelage of their lord." Over time, however, the word's meaning shifted away from guardianship and toward instruction. This pattern of meaning can also be seen in the related nouns tutor, which shifted from "a guardian" to "a private teacher," and tuition, which now typically refers to the cost of instruction but which originally referred to the protection, care, or custody by a parent or guardian over a child or ward.

Synonyms

• education
• instruction
• schooling
• teaching
• training
• tuition
• tutoring

Examples of tutelage in a Sentence

The company is relying on the tutelage of its new CEO to increase profits.

a governess overseeing the tutelage of the family's children

Recent Examples on the Web

Learn about the tradition of bamboo craftsmanship and even give it a try under the tutelage of an expert. —Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Yet, the audience soon learns much more is at stake here than just adequate tutelage for Billie. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024

At Bennington College, Horowitz wrote fiction under the tutelage of Bernard Malamud and appraised his wealthy, worldly classmates. —Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024

Through the tutelage of her adoptive father Balisarius, Arthelais then grew up to become a gifted soldier until her father deceived her into assassinating the current Princess Issa for the sake of his own power grab. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin tutela protection, guardian (from tutari to protect, frequentative of tueri to look at, guard) + English -age

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing tutelage

• under (someone's) tutelage
• under the tutelage of (someone)

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Kids Definition

tutelage

noun

tu·​te·​lage ˈt(y)üt-ə-lij 

1

: an act of guarding or protecting : guardianship

2

: instruction