case study

noun

1

: an intensive analysis of an individual unit (such as a person or community) stressing developmental factors in relation to environment

2

: case history

Examples of case study in a Sentence

a case study of prisoners

The company's recent history is a case study in bad management.

Recent Examples on the Web

While seeking a limerent object is a good case study in unconscious motivation, perhaps the best modern example of this phenomenon in practice is the cell phone. —Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026

If painting and digital media can be seen as frenemies that alternate between conflict and cooperation, John Pomara’s splendid new show at Barry Whistler Gallery is a masterful case study of the sometimes tense, sometimes thriving interaction of the two. —Benjamin Lima, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026

If sheer tonnage of voter case studies and white papers could rescue a party, Democrats would be set for years. —Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026

The next case study could be Oliver Glasner. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for case study

• understudy
• bloody
• buddy
• cuddy
• muddy
• ruddy
• scudi
• restudy