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

The state’s math standards dispute has been sharpened by Hillsdale and the National Association of Scholars’ involvement in a contentious update of the state’s social studies standards. —Steven Yoder, States Newsroom, 20 Mar. 2026

Longtime Naperville Central social studies teacher Todd Holmberg voiced support for his colleagues who were on the dismissal lists. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

Joseph Contreras had to complete his social studies homework before facing Aaron Judge with the bases loaded in the World Baseball Classic. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026

Because of the short notice, the school limited attendance to its first class period of the day, which includes social studies classes. —Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 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)