essay

noun

es·say | \ ˈe-ˌsā

; senses 2, 3 & 4 also e-ˈsā

Definition of essay

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an analytic or interpretative literary composition usually dealing with its subject from a limited or personal point of view

b : something resembling such a composition a photographic essay

2a : effort, attempt especially : an initial tentative effort

b : the result or product of an attempt

3 : a proof of an unaccepted design for a stamp or piece of paper money

4 obsolete : trial, test

essay

verb

es·say | \ e-ˈsā

, ə-ˈsā, ˈe-ˌsā

Definition of essay (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make an often tentative or experimental effort to perform : try

2 : to put to a test

Other Words from essay Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about essay

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Synonyms for essay

Synonyms: Noun

article, composition, paper, theme

Synonyms: Verb

assay, attempt, endeavor, seek, strive, try

Choose the Right Synonym for essay

Verb

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end. attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort. will attempt to photograph the rare bird try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something. tried to determine which was the better procedure endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty. endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting. will essay a dramatic role for the first time strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort. continues to strive for peace

Examples of essay in a Sentence

Noun

Your assignment is to write a 500-word essay on one of Shakespeare's sonnets. The book is a collection of his previously unpublished essays on a variety of topics.

Verb

There is no hint as to which of the approaches essayed in this book will prove most useful. he had been in gymnastics for some time before he even considered essaying that move

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In an essay for The New Yorker, Clarke detailed her experience with two brain aneurysms and multiple surgeries, the first of which occurred in 2011, not long after landing the role of her dreams. — Korin Miller, SELF, "'Game of Thrones' Star Emilia Clarke Reveals She Survived 2 Aneurysms," 22 Mar. 2019 Murphy wrote in an essay for the Atlantic, published this week, about his trajectory from sportswriter to Flex contractor. — Gaby Del Valle, Vox, "Amazon is cutting costs with its own delivery service — but its drivers don’t receive benefits," 26 Dec. 2018 Meghan Markle even spoke out about the need for menstrual equity in an essay for Time last year. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "This New Criminal Justice Bill Could Finally Give Incarcerated Women the Period Products They Need," 19 Dec. 2018 The line between news, commentary, and satire isn't always clear, either, as the legal scholar James Grimmelmann points out in a recent essay. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Op-ed: Alex Jones is a crackpot—but banning him from Facebook might be a bad idea [Updated]," 6 Aug. 2018 In an essay this month on The Players' Tribune, Lee detailed obstacles he's faced during his basketball career, which included three major injuries and an NCAA postseason ban. — Justin Sayers, The Courier-Journal, "Damion Lee to join Golden State Warriors, future in-law Steph Curry," 11 July 2018 After Clarke penned an emotional essay revealing her struggles with brain aneurysms for the first time, Headey proudly supported her co-star with a tribute on Instagram. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Lena Headey Supports Game of Thrones Co-Star Emilia Clarke After She Opened Up About Her Brain Aneurysms," 22 Mar. 2019 To celebrate, Verge staff members are writing essays on their own personal favorite games, and what made them stand out above the crowd. — Laura Hudson, The Verge, "Why Return of the Obra Dinn is my game of the year," 21 Dec. 2018 Love Stories is a series about love in all its forms, with one new essay appearing each day until Valentine’s Day. — Jason Sheeler, Vogue, "How George Michael, A Buddhist Monk, and A Stripper Saved My Life," 14 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Meghan recalled in her Elle essay how her seventh grade English teacher told her to check the box for Caucasian on a mandatory census. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Meghan Markle and Her Dad: A Timeline of Their Rocky Relationship," 6 Mar. 2019 Meghan recalled in her Elle essay how her seventh grade English teacher told her to check the box for Caucasian on a mandatory census. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Meghan Markle and Her Dad: A Timeline of Their Rocky Relationship," 6 Mar. 2019 From Beyoncé's overarching creative direction, to Tyler Mitchell (at 23-years old, the publication's first-ever black cover photographer), to the candid as told to essay, everything came together to solidify its place in history. — Emily Wang, Glamour, "Beyoncé Wears This Highlighter, and No Higher Endorsement Exists," 7 Aug. 2018 Like 48 voices all essaying the song stylings of the just-out-of-adolescence version of the figure now grandly known as His Lordship, or, to his friends, Sir Andrew, or, in the cheaper seats, plain old Andrew Lloyd Webber. — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, "'Jesus Christ Superstar' means 'gig theater' is coming to the Lyric Opera," 18 Apr. 2018 But country twang is her guiding principle, and her songs vividly essay failed and burgeoning relationships. — Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader, "Whitney Rose enfolds bits of Tex-Mex and 60s pop into her lush, retro-tinged sound," 5 July 2018 Specifically, documentaries essaying one particularly magnetic celebrity personality, or a singularly gripping tale. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "What’s Driving Documentaries to Box-Office Success?," 11 July 2018 In 2011, Waller shifted her focus to essay and fiction writing and founded Crooked Door Storytelling, a Fine Arts consulting company that offers story programs, public speaking training and creative writing workshops to students and professionals. — Chicago Tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Algren Award runner-up: "Here Is Where the Taxi Driver Set His Wife on Fire" by GKS Waller," 2 June 2018 Few records fully and frankly essay the realistic ups-and-downs of a young man’s fancy as has Khalid Robinson’s American Teen. — Philly.com, "Memorial Day fireworks, Sail Philadelphia, Devon Horse Show, and other events in Philadelphia, May 25-June 1," 24 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'essay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.