anthropology

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noun an·thro·pol·o·gy \ ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jē \

Definition of anthropology

1 :the science of human beings; especially :the study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

2 :theology dealing with the origin, nature, and destiny of human beings

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anthropological

play \-pə-ˈlä-ji-kəl\ adjective

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anthropologically

play \-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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anthropologist

play \ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jist\ noun

See anthropology defined for English-language learners

See anthropology defined for kids

Recent Examples of anthropology from the Web

Pritzker, 54, an anthropology major who studied folktales during her year abroad, has been drawn to storytelling ever since.

— rebecca ford, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Genius' Producer Gigi Pritzker on New Company and Tougher Road for Women in Hollywood," 21 July 2017
Nisrin Elamin, a Sudanese green card holder at the time and a Ph.D. student in anthropology at Stanford University, was one of the first to be detained shortly after the ban was announced.

— kristal brent zook, Essence.com, "How Donald Trump's Travel Ban Attempts Have Deeply Wounded Black Families And Individuals," 18 July 2017
An 1835 farm deed refers to a graveyard there, wrote William Parry, an anthropology professor at Hunter College in New York, in a 2013 study of the grounds.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Dig may settle mystery into lost grave of famed Maryland 400 soldiers," 14 July 2017
To come up with the recipe for QingMing, Laffler sat down with Field Museum curator of anthropology Gary Feinman, who explained the brewing processes of ancient China.

— julia thiel, Chicago Reader, "Ancient Chinese techniques inspired the Field Museum and Off Color to make an extraordinary new beer," 11 July 2017
Clark-Deces, 61, was born in Paris and earned her bachelor's degree and doctorate, both in anthropology, from the University of California-Berkeley.

— CBS News, "Princeton University professor Isabelle Clark-Deces dead after India fall," 5 July 2017
Senior co-author Daniel Benyshek, PhD, an associate professor of anthropology at UNLV, agreed.

— amanda macmillan, Health.com, "Placenta Pills Probably Made This Baby Sick, Doctors Say," 30 June 2017
Ather Zia, a member of the network and a professor of anthropology at the University of Northern Colorado, said that Facebook restored her account without explanation after two weeks.

— julia angwin, propublica, and hannes grassegger, Ars Technica, "Facebook’s secret rules mean that it’s OK to be anti-Islam, but not anti-gay," 28 June 2017
The university announced the adjunct anthropology faculty member, Katherine Dettwyler, would not be rehired to teach in the future.

— CBS News, "College cuts ties with teacher who said Otto Warmbier got "what he deserved"," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anthropology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of anthropology

New Latin anthropologia, from anthrop- + -logia -logy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1593

See Words from the same year

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

ANTHROPOLOGY Defined for English Language Learners

anthropology

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noun

Definition of anthropology for English Language Learners

: the study of human races, origins, societies, and cultures

ANTHROPOLOGY Defined for Kids

anthropology

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noun an·thro·pol·o·gy \ ˌan-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jē \

Definition of anthropology for Students

:a science that studies people and especially their history, development, distribution and culture

Medical Dictionary

anthropology

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noun an·thro·pol·o·gy \ ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jē \

medical Definition of anthropology

plural anthropologies

:the science of humans; especially :the study of humans in relation to distribution, origin, classification, and relationship of races, physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

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