academy

noun

acad·​e·​my ə-ˈka-də-mē How to pronounce academy (audio)
plural academies
1
a
: a school usually above the elementary level
especially : a private high school
b
: a high school or college in which special subjects or skills are taught
c
: higher education
used with the
the functions of the academy in modern society
2
capitalized
a
: the school for advanced education founded by Plato
b
: the philosophical doctrines associated with Plato's Academy
3
: a society of learned persons organized to advance art, science, or literature
4
: a body of established opinion widely accepted as authoritative in a particular field

Did you know?

Our word academy comes from the Greek word Akademeia, the name of the park or grove outside of ancient Athens where the philosopher Plato taught his students. Just as schools and parks today are often named after famous persons, the Akademeia had been named in honor of a Greek hero, Akademos.

Examples of academy in a Sentence

an academy of the fine arts
Recent Examples on the Web Angela Ramirez-Riojas, 18, is enrolled in Riverview High School’s construction academy. Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2024 Certain college grads can now be air traffic controllers immediately The FAA says that graduates from two schools can now bypass the agency’s backlogged training academy. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 3 Oct. 2024 In 2024, 72% of those invited to join the academy accepted the offer, the organization says, resulting in an all-time high of more than 2,800 new members. Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024 Upon completion of his tour of duty in Germany, Kristofferson was offered a job teaching English at West Point military academy. Annie Blackman, People.com, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for academy 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'academy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

in sense 2, borrowed from Latin Acadēmīa, borrowed from Greek Akadḗmeia, Akadēmía, from the name of the gymnasium near Athens where Plato taught, from Akádēmos, Attic mythological hero + -eia or -ia -y entry 2; in senses 1, 3, and 4 borrowed from French, Italian, & New Latin; French académie, borrowed from Italian & New Latin; Italian accademia, borrowed from New Latin academia, going back to Latin Acadēmīa

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of academy was in 1549

Dictionary Entries Near academy

Cite this Entry

“Academy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academy. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

academy

noun
acad·​e·​my ə-ˈkad-ə-mē How to pronounce academy (audio)
plural academies
1
a
: school entry 1 sense 1a
especially : a private high school
b
: an institution for training in special subjects or skills
military academy
2
: an organization of people specializing in knowledge in a particular subject
Etymology

Greek Akadēmeia, the grove outside Athens where Plato had his school

Word Origin
Our word academy comes from the Greek word Akadēmeia, the name of the park or grove outside of ancient Athens where the philosopher Plato taught his students. Just as schools and parks today are often named after famous persons, the Akadēmeia had been named in honor of a Greek hero, Akadēmos.

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