tuition

noun

tu·​ition tə-ˈwi-shən 

tyu̇-

1

: the price of or payment for instruction

2

: the act or profession of teaching : instruction

pursued his studies under private tuition

3

archaic : custody, guardianship

tuitional

tə-ˈwi-sh(ə-)nəl 

tyu̇-

adjective

Synonyms of tuition

• education
• teaching
• schooling
• instruction

Examples of tuition in a Sentence

Her uncle agreed to pay part of her tuition.

There's going to be a tuition increase next year.

Before the company transferred her to Mexico, they offered her private tuition in Spanish.

Recent Examples on the Web

The majority of the private colleges on our list are tuition dependent. —Matt Schifrin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

One potential drawback of the proposal for higher tuition rates could be a resultant drop in enrollment levels of nonresident students. —Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026

While tens of millions of Americans are laden with tuition loans – many well into their 30s, leaving renting their only option – their Chinese counterparts start planning the purchase of their first homes straight out of university. —Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026

The cost of tuition alone for the 2025-26 academic year was $30,500, up from $28,500 for the 2023-24 academic year. —CBS News, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tuicioun protection, from Anglo-French, from Latin tuition-, tuitio, from tueri to look at, look after

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for tuition

• dition
• fission
• lycian
• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition

Kids Definition

tuition

noun

tu·​ition t(y)u̇-ˈish-ən 

: money paid for instruction (as at a college)