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

According to docent Bill Richardson, this type of radio graced hotel lobbies back in the day. —Penny E Schwartz, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026

The tour is self-guided, but friendly docents await you at each stop. —Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

The walk is led by a blind docent who will talk about the importance of senses in exploring nature. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

Among one of her volunteer fortes is as a tulip docent. —Daily News, 20 Mar. 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