ethnography

noun

eth·​nog·​ra·​phy eth-ˈnä-grə-fē How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
: the study and systematic recording of human cultures
also : a descriptive work produced from such research
ethnographer noun
ethnographic adjective
or ethnographical
ethnographically adverb

Examples of ethnography in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With books ranging from brilliant women from history, to brilliant women writing history (ethnography and memoir), there’s plenty for nonfiction stans. Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2024 Bartram was thus a trailblazer in a stunning array of disciplines: botany, ecology, zoology, ethnography, ornithology. Kiley Bense, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 Human marketers then conduct qualitative research through in-depth interviews and ethnography. Gillian Oakenfull, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 Until a couple of decades ago, Indigenous art was not considered fine art but ethnography — and relegated to the nearby Canadian Museum of History. Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2023 At a time when big data looms large yet comes short in capturing the minute ways that COVID-19 alters daily life, the ethnography lab will help inject different ways of thinking about the pandemic. Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2021 At the very least, seeing films from all over the world provided a kind of cinematic passport: If the international fare was not always excellent, the ethnography was. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2023 Trips back to Mexico have taught her about ethnography and indigenous lineage, which has led to a rich exchange of ideas between mother and daughter, as well as bodies of work that keep these creative traditions alive. Jennifer Piejko, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023 Both books have become classics in the field of Chinese ethnography, thanks to their analysis of how world-historical changes like the communist revolution affected everyday rural life. Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ethnography.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French ethnographie, from ethno- + -graphie -graphy

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethnography was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near ethnography

Cite this Entry

“Ethnography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnography. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

ethnography

noun
eth·​nog·​ra·​phy eth-ˈnäg-rə-fē How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
plural ethnographies
: the study and systematic recording of human cultures
also : a descriptive work produced from such research
ethnographic adjective
or ethnographical
ethnographically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ethnography

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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