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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Recent Examples of anthropology from the Web
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Roos grew up in Nyack, New York, and graduated from Drew University in New Jersey with an anthropology degree.
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PAST AND PRESENT Roos grew up in Nyack, New York, and graduated from Drew University in New Jersey with an anthropology degree.
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Yismaw’s mind is neither on anthropology, nor on his frightful experiences in his native country.
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Anne Grauer, professor and chairwoman of the department of anthropology at Loyola University Chicago, has to apply a lot of imagination to her evaluations, which include work for the FBI and Cook County Sheriff.
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At the public unveiling on Aug. 18, Baez will give a talk on her interest in anthropology, science fiction, black female subjectivity and women’s work.
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Other cases kept Love, who has a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Tennessee, busy.
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Glauber had been an anthropology minor in college, and random facts about faraway cultures would pop into his head on occasion, usually over dinner, when there was a lull in our conversation.
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Drawing on anthropology theory from the University of Chicago, General Petraeus explained to his commander in chief how neighborhoods in Kandahar related to one another.
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
First Known Use: 1593
Other Anthropology Terms
ANTHROPOLOGY Defined for English Language Learners
anthropology
playDefinition of anthropology for English Language Learners
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: the study of human races, origins, societies, and cultures
ANTHROPOLOGY Defined for Kids
anthropology
playDefinition of anthropology for Students
: a science that studies people and especially their history, development, distribution and culture
Medical Dictionary
anthropology
playMedical Definition of anthropology
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
Learn More about anthropology
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Spanish Central: Translation of anthropology Nglish: Translation of anthropology for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anthropology
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