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Definition of course
1 : the act or action of moving in a path from point to point the planets in their courses
2 : the path over which something moves or extends: such asa : racecourseb (1) : the direction of travel of a vehicle (such as a ship or airplane) usually measured as a clockwise angle from north; also : the projected path of travel (2) : a point of the compassc : watercoursed : golf course
3a : accustomed procedure or normal action the law taking its courseb : a chosen manner of conducting oneself : way of acting Our wisest course is to retreat.c (1) : progression through a development or period or a series of acts or events the course of history (2) : life history, career
4 : an ordered process or succession: such asa : a number of lectures or other matter dealing with a subject took a course in zoology; also : a series of such courses constituting a curriculum a premed courseb : a series of doses or medications administered over a designated period
5a : a part of a meal served at one time the main courseb : layer; especially : a continuous level range of brick or masonry throughout a wallc : the lowest sail on a square-rigged mast
in due course
: after a normal passage of time : in the expected or allotted time His discoveries led in due course to new forms of treatment.
of course
1 : following the ordinary way or procedure will be done as a matter of course
2 : as might be expected Of course we will go.
From the M-W Editors
Examples of course in a Sentence
the course of a river
The pilot brought the plane back on course.
The ship was blown off course by a storm.
She's taking a chemistry course this semester.
Students earn the degree after a two-year course of study.
There is no cure, but the treatment will slow the course of the disease.
Recent Examples of course from the Web
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Southern states, of course, have historically had more antagonistic relationships with the central government.
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The difference, of course, is that these acts are voluntary, not compelled by a government.
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What that 1961 summit meeting was really about, of course, was each man taking the other’s measure — and this one will be, too.
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While Dubai‘s focus is trained on its opulent future, there are also plenty of ways to explore its past — in Dubai-style luxury, of course.
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The children rode their bikes, which were covered with red, white and blue decorations, through various obstacle courses in the elementary school parking lot.
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This is the best that can be done at present, because no drugs have been proven to affect the underlying course of dementia, whether caused by Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative conditions.
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Three-time Grammy winner Pentatonix is celebrating Independence Day three nights in a row, and each performance will feature the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, and of course, fireworks.
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The Bachelorette, of course, depicts a sport only in the loosest sense; the show is very rarely violent in the literal sense of the term.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'course'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of course
Middle English, from Anglo-French curs, course, from Latin cursus, from currere to run — more at car
course
Definition of course
coursed
;coursing
transitive verb
1 : to follow close upon : pursue
2a : to hunt or pursue (game) with houndsb : to cause (dogs) to run (as after game)
3 : to run or move swiftly through or over : traverse Jets coursed the area daily.
intransitive verb
: to run or pass rapidly along or as if along an indicated path blood coursing through the veins
Examples of course in a Sentence
the blood coursing through my veins
Tears were coursing down his cheeks.
Origin and Etymology of course
see 1course
COURSE Defined for English Language Learners
course
playDefinition of course for English Language Learners
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: the path or direction that something or someone moves along
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: a path or route that runners, skiers, bikers, etc., move along especially in a race
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: a series of classes about a particular subject in a school
course
Definition of course for English Language Learners
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: to move or flow quickly
COURSE Defined for Kids
Definition of course for Students
1 : motion from one point to another : progress in space or time The earth makes its course around the sun in 365 days. During the course of a year he meets dozens of people.
2 : the path over which something moves The ship was blown off course.
3 : a natural channel for water A trail follows the river's course.
4 : a way of doing something Choose a course of action.
5 : the ordinary way something happens over time the course of business
6 : a series of acts or proceedings arranged in regular order a course of therapies
7 : a series of classes in a subject a geography course
8 : a part of a meal served separately We ate a three course dinner.
of course
Word Root of course
The Latin word currere, meaning “to run,” and its form cursus give us the roots curr and curs. Words from the Latin currere have something to do with running. A current is the direction in which a river runs or flows. When two people concur, their ideas or opinions run together in agreement. A course is the path over which something moves or runs.
Medical Dictionary
course
playMedical Definition of course
1: the series of events or stages comprising a natural process the course of a disease
2: a series of doses or medications administered over a designated period a course of three doses daily for five days
Learn More about course
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See words that rhyme with course Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for course Spanish Central: Translation of course Nglish: Translation of course for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of course for Arabic speakers
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