anthropology
noun
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The Origin of Anthropology
The word anthropology dates back to the late 16th century, but it was not until the 19th century that it was applied to the academic discipline that now bears its name. In the United States, this field of study is typically divided into four distinct branches: physical (or biological) anthropology, archaeology, cultural (or social) anthropology, and linguistic anthropology.
Anthropology is from the New Latin word anthropologia (“the study of humanity”) and shares its ultimate root in Greek, anthrōpos (“human being”), with a number of other words in English, such as anthropomorphize, philanthropy, and misanthrope.
Examples of anthropology in a Sentence
Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2025
Right out of college, engineering majors command the highest starting salaries, while liberal arts graduates—such as those in foreign languages, anthropology, or performing arts—tend to earn the least.
—Raul Elizalde, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
In 75 to 100 years the reservation will likely be uninhabitable, said Spivey, who has a doctorate in anthropology.
—Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 8 May 2025
One of the most enduring questions in anthropology is why Neanderthals, our closest extinct human relatives, completely disappeared around 40,000 years ago.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anthropology
Cite this Entry
“Anthropology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropology. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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