student

noun

stu·​dent ˈstü-dᵊnt 

ˈstyü-

chiefly Southern -dənt

often attributive

1

: scholar, learner

especially : one who attends a school

2

: one who studies : an attentive and systematic observer

a student of politics

Synonyms of student

• pupil
• scholar

Examples of student in a Sentence

a group of college students

She is a student at Georgetown University.

Recent Examples on the Web

Almost three-fourths of kindergarteners who test in the bottom 20% of students for readiness exams remain in the bottom 20% of their class by fifth grade, according to The Children’s Reading Foundation, a nonprofit organization. —CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026

Last year, after decades of often bitter debate, California took an important step toward raising the abysmal levels of reading ability among many of its public school students. —Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026

The company was designing a computer system teachers would use to teach students who were attending school online during the pandemic. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026

When a school isn’t accredited, the students who go there can’t get federal student loans. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin student-, studens, from present participle of studēre to study — more at study

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing student

• anti-student
• A student
• B student
• college/student deferment
• C student
• day student
• exchange student
• mature student
• nontraditional student
• student body
• student council
• student driver
• student government
• student lamp
• student loan
• student's t distribution
• student teacher
• student teaching
• student union

Rhymes for student

• prudent
• imprudent
• impudent

Kids Definition

student

noun

stu·​dent ˈst(y)üd-ᵊnt 

chiefly Southern -ənt

1

: scholar sense 1

especially : one who attends a school or college

2

: one who studies

a student of life