social studies

plural noun

: a part of a school or college curriculum concerned with the study of social relationships and the functioning of society and usually made up of courses in history, government, economics, civics, sociology, geography, and anthropology

Examples of social studies in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some do recall the morning but struggle to convey the magnitude of pain and fear to students for whom 9/11 is another date in a social studies course timeline. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The students turned to their social studies teacher for answers. — Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

In Virginia, where one of four hijacked planes crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11, social studies standards require addressing 9/11 in middle and upper grades. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

His schedule includes core classes like social studies, language arts and science. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social studies

• buddies

Kids Definition

social studies

plural noun

: the studies dealing with human relationships and the way society works (as history, civics, economics, and geography)