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doctorate

noun

doc·​tor·​ate ˈdäk-t(ə-)rət How to pronounce doctorate (audio)
: the degree, title, or rank of a doctor

Examples of doctorate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ryan, who holds a doctorate in flavor and fragrance chemistry from Michigan State University, went on to create some of the most successful fast-food innovations of the past three decades. Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Nov. 2025 And while higher education is increasingly dominated by overseas talent, the National Science Foundation found that nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of science and engineering doctorate recipients from 2017 to 2019 remained in the United States around five years after graduation. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025 Owens earned his juris doctorate from the University of California’s Hastings College of the Law and is now a partner at NBO Law in Orange County. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025 Lennon holds a master’s degree in computer science, according to the US Marshals, and was working toward a doctorate at the time of his disappearance. Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doctorate

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doctorate was in 1570

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Cite this Entry

“Doctorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doctorate. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

doctorate

noun
doc·​tor·​ate ˈdäk-t(ə-)rət How to pronounce doctorate (audio)
: the degree, title, or rank of a doctor

More from Merriam-Webster on doctorate

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