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

In the time since the encampment organizers folded up their tents, the fight has moved from the quad to the classroom, from a protest anyone could see to a comment in a lecture or a line in a syllabus. — Jonathan Greenblatt, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Lakeview High School parent Andy Amsdill first went to the school with concerns about the syllabus for his daughter's ninth-grade gym class, which required female students to disclose the length of their menstrual cycles to make up swim days. — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026

His challenge was to make this lesson more than just another unit on the syllabus. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The same restraint applies to professors, who will not be permitted to employ AI to write syllabuses or course materials. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

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)