tutelage
noun
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Tutelage comes from the Latin verb tueri, meaning "to look at" or "to guard." When it first appeared in English at the turn of the 17th century, this word was used mainly in the protective sense of tueri; writers would describe 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.
Examples of tutelage in a Sentence
Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Under the tutelage of new Rockies pitching coach Alon Leichman and new assistant pitching coach Gabe Ribas, Senzatela honed his craft during spring training.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Gumbs moved to defensive end after spring practice in 2023, working under Moore’s tutelage.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
When Gass was first announced as Levi’s president in 2022—spending a year under the tutelage of CEO predecessor Chip Bergh before taking over a year later—many in the peanut gallery pointed to her previous struggles at Kohl’s as reason for skepticism.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tutelage
Cite this Entry
“Tutelage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tutelage. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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tutelage
noun
