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
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That doctorate, however, may be on hold for a while. Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 1 May 2026 That figure is still below the wage floor for graduate workers at other local universities — doctorate students at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago earn a base pay of about $45,000. Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 Gerry Byrne, vice chairman of Variety parent company PMC and a longtime media business executive, will be recognized by his alma mater, New York’s Fordham University, with an honorary doctorate of humane letters at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 16. William Earl, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026 Willy Chirino just got an honorary doctorate in music at Florida International University in West Miami-Dade. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 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 5 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

doctorate

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

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