learning

noun learn·ing \ ˈlər-niŋ \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of learning

1 : the act or experience of one that learns

a computer program that makes learning fun

2 : knowledge or skill acquired by instruction or study

people of good education and considerable learning

3 : modification of a behavioral tendency by experience (such as exposure to conditioning)

See learning defined for English-language learners

See learning defined for kids

Examples of learning in a Sentence

a computer program that makes learning fun
different methods of foreign language learning
The first year of college was a learning experience.
They were people of good education and considerable learning.

Recent Examples of learning from the Web

But simply refusing to suspend misbehaving children would be damaging for their classmates, whose learning would deteriorate in the face of disruption, and for their teachers, whose jobs would be made much more difficult.

— The Economist, "Tough love falls out of fashion in America’s schools," 14 Apr. 2018
After snapping the pictures, the drone wirelessly transmits the images to data centers, where machine learning technology helps identify damage to homes.

— jonathan vanian, Fortune, "How Lyft, Mastercard, and Drone Companies Are Experimenting With Artificial Intelligence," 13 Apr. 2018
Surviving a bully requires constant learning and adaptation.

— philip rucker, Anchorage Daily News, "Comey’s memoir: Trump fixates on proving lewd dossier allegations false," 13 Apr. 2018
In 2016, Professor Gagliano and her colleagues demonstrated that pea plants display associative learning.

— eoin o'carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, "What slime molds can teach us about thinking," 12 Apr. 2018
To enroll in the early learning program, call (216) 325-9678.

— brenda cain, cleveland.com, "New learning center opens in Maple Heights Library," 11 Apr. 2018
Only part of the vision is being realized with activities for seniors being held at the library, including lectures presented by the lifelong learning organization Oasis San Diego and cell phone sessions held between Girl Scouts and seniors.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Steady progress on creating campus to unite generations," 11 Apr. 2018
The 16,500-student district already has a policy that requires students to meet certain requirements in order to move on to the next grade, said Marcus Alexander, the district’s director of teaching and learning.

— emily k. coleman, Lake County News-Sun, "Waukegan District 60 considering 'very large cultural shift' on passing students," 11 Apr. 2018
Applicants must be Tobacco Valley Teachers Federal Credit Union members in good standing who are graduating seniors and will be attending an institution of higher learning in the fall.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 10 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of learning

before 12th century

learning Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of learning

knowledge, learning, erudition, scholarship mean what is or can be known by an individual or by humankind. knowledge applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience.

- rich in the knowledge of human nature

learning applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling.

- a book that demonstrates vast learning

erudition strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning.

- an erudition unusual even in a scholar

scholarship implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation.

- a work of first-rate literary scholarship

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

LEARNING Defined for English Language Learners

learning

noun

Definition of learning for English Language Learners

: the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something : the activity of someone who learns
: knowledge or skill gained from learning

LEARNING Defined for Kids

learning

noun learn·ing \ ˈlər-niŋ \

Definition of learning for Students

1 : the act of a person who gains knowledge or skill Travel is a learning experience.

2 : knowledge or skill gained from teaching or study

They're people of great learning.

Medical Dictionary

learning

noun learn·ing

medical Definition of learning

: the process of acquiring a modification in a behavioral tendency by experience (as exposure to conditioning) in contrast to modifications occurring because of development or a temporary physiological condition (as fatigue) of the organism; also : the modified behavioral tendency itself