psychology
noun
Did you know?
The Roots of Psychology
The word psychology was formed by combining the Greek psychē (meaning “breath, principle of life, life, soul,”) with –logia (which comes from the Greek logos, meaning “speech, word, reason”). An early use appears in Nicholas Culpeper’s mid-17th century translation of Simeon Partliz’s A New Method of Physick, in which it is stated that “Psychologie is the knowledg of the Soul.” Today, psychology is concerned with the science or study of the mind and behavior. Many branches of psychology are differentiated by the specific field to which they belong, such as animal psychology, child psychology, and sports psychology.
Examples of psychology in a Sentence
Colin Millar, New York Times, 27 June 2025
He was born in Memphis and raised in Marion, graduated from Marion High School and earned an associate degree in education from Arkansas State University Mid-South and earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Memphis.
—Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025
Denver Police Department Six Years Using Fake Credentials McShane claimed to have a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
The company is leveraging cutting-edge biometric data, performance psychology, and even digital twin modeling to help Kipyegon visualize success and condition her physiology to deliver it.
—Gillian Oakenfull, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for psychology
Cite this Entry
“Psychology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychology. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
psychology
noun
from scientific Latin psychologia "the study of the mind and behavior," derived from Greek psychē "soul, mind" and Greek -logia "science, study"
Medical Definition
psychology
noun
Share