course

noun

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\ ˈkȯrs

Definition of course

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 as

a : racecourse

b(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 compass

c : watercourse

d : golf course

3a : accustomed procedure or normal action the law taking its course

b : 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 as

a : 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 course

b : a series of doses or medications administered over a designated period

5a : a part of a meal served at one time the main course

b : layer especially : a continuous level range of brick or masonry throughout a wall

c : 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.

course

verb

coursed; coursing

Definition of course (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to follow close upon : pursue

2a : to hunt or pursue (game) with hounds

b : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing course Learn More About course

Synonyms & Antonyms for course

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

Examples of course in a Sentence

Noun 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. Verb the blood coursing through my veins Tears were coursing down his cheeks. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Rossi won Saturday on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where his 2016 victory in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 jumpstarted his American motorsports career. — Jenna Fryer, ajc, 30 July 2022 After a hectic couple weeks where the five-time member of Team Europe lost his Ryder Cup captaincy for the 2023 matches in Italy, Stenson is happy to be back to business on the course. — Adam Woodard, USA TODAY, 29 July 2022 Two-time IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden was cleared to compete on the road course on Indy’s hallowed grounds after successfully completing Friday morning practice and passing a third medical evaluation. — Jenna Fryer, Orlando Sentinel, 29 July 2022 The duration of the heat wave puts Oregon’s biggest city on course to tie its longest streak of six consecutive days of 95 F or higher, according to NWS Portland. — Claire Rush, Anchorage Daily News, 28 July 2022 People for Mobility Justice will also be there to help riders of all ages learn skills and safety on a bike course, as well as how to commute in DTLA. — Matt Pawlik, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2022 On an off-road course, the F-150 Lightning climbed rocks and traversed ruts admirably, and its electronic locking rear differential helped to pull the truck out of most sticky situations. — Laura Burstein, Robb Report, 28 July 2022 In addition, the racer set a world record on a three-kilometer course in August 1993 at 277.26 mph and again in 1996 at 283.75 mph. — Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 July 2022 The day includes 18 holes of golf, lunch on the course, an outdoor dinner, and four chances to win a hole in one: $15,000 in cash, 2023 Hyundai Elantra, trip for two St. Andrews in Scotland, and trip for two Pinehurst Resort, N.C. — Hartford Courant, 26 July 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Smith did his best to go along in describing the Stadium Course, with its island green and deceptive shots, and a centuries-old links course that this week was so brittle and brown the balls rolled faster on the fairways than the greens. — Doug Ferguson, Chron, 18 July 2022 Members have to commit to a five-week financial fundamentals course, monthly mentoring circle meetings and other program gatherings. — oregonlive, 11 July 2022 Unless the world changes course and drastically cuts the use of fossil fuels, Reed said people should expect progressively worse effects from hurricane season. — Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 12 Apr. 2022 Numerous muscles, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue sheaths course through this area, woven in with arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and nerves. — Esther Smith, Outside Online, 8 Aug. 2021 Our current superintendent has supported this fight and has taken steps to course correct. — Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2022 For Selin, a narrator who treats course descriptions as manifestos, this portends a drastic shift in worldview and sensibility. — Jennifer Wilson, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2022 The Federal Reserve is finally starting to course correct. — William J. Luther, National Review, 5 May 2022 When in doubt, err on the side of caution, slow down and course correct. — John Hall, Forbes, 1 May 2022 See More

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.

History and Etymology for course

Noun

Middle English cours, borrowed from Anglo-French cours, curs, going back to Latin cursus "action of running, charge, movement along a path, progress," from currere "to run, flow" + -tus, suffix of verbal action — more at current entry 1

Note: As pointed out by Michiel de Vaan (Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the Other Italic Languages, Leiden, 2008), the expected outcome of the verbal adjective in *-to- and the verbal noun in *-tū- would be *kostus < *korstus < *kr̥s-to-, kr̥s-tū-, from the verbal base *kr̥s- (> currere). The attested form cursus for both the past participle and verbal noun reflects remodeling on the pattern of stems ending in a dental (as morsus from mordere "to bite," versus from vertere "to turn"). As generally in Latin, the verbal noun, where full grade of the root would be expected, has been supplanted by zero grade of the verbal adjective.

Verb

Middle English coursen "to pursue," derivative of cours course entry 1

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Dictionary Entries Near course

couronne

course

coursed ashlar

Statistics for course

Last Updated

2 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Course.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/course. Accessed 13 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for course

course

noun

\ ˈkȯrs

Kids Definition of course

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

: as might be expected You know, of course, that I like you.

course

verb

coursed; coursing