social studies

plural noun

: a part of a school or college curriculum concerned with the study of social relationships and the functioning of society and usually made up of courses in history, government, economics, civics, sociology, geography, and anthropology

Examples of social studies in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

District and state social studies curriculum requirements often feature middle school civics courses, and math-civics concepts align well with middle school math standards. — Ismar Volić, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

The proximity of the two municipalities means some people work in one and live in the other — as is the case for Tom Mullane, a Brewster social studies teacher and Danbury resident. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2026

Ford, 54, is a former social studies teacher and real estate broker who has served in the Illinois state house since 2007. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Peter Schmidt-Nowara, a social studies and civics teacher at Brooklyn Technical High School in New York. — Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social studies

• buddies

Kids Definition

social studies

plural noun

: the studies dealing with human relationships and the way society works (as history, civics, economics, and geography)