docent

noun

do·​cent ˈdō-sᵊnt  dō(t)-ˈsent 

1

: a college or university teacher or lecturer

2

: a person who leads guided tours especially through a museum or art gallery

Did you know?

The title of docent is used in many countries for what Americans would call an associate professor—that is, a college or university teacher who has been given tenure but hasn't yet achieved the rank of full professor. But in the U.S. a docent is a guide who works at a museum, a historical site, or even a zoo or a park. Docents are usually volunteers, and their services are often free of charge.

Examples of docent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Attendees can learn about how to get involved by acting as docents and greeters, gardeners and special event helpers or serving on the Campbell Museum Foundation Board. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026

Each garden will have live music and artwork on display, and docents will offer information on the plants and history of the properties. —Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

Francisco George, a longtime art collector and docent at LACMA, is a Frieze regular. —Tyler Matthew Oyer feb. 27, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026

Each day includes an artistic activity, including a conversation with a Modern docent or educator, a gallery project and complimentary food for kids 12 and under. —Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

obsolete German (now Dozent), from Latin docent-, docens, present participle of docēre — see docile

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1