social studies

plural noun

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Definition of social studies

: 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

Recent Examples of social studies from the Web

That delay gives them more time to improve reading skills and to learn prerequisite social studies lessons, boosting their chances of civics success a year later.

— leslie postal, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Commissioner to lawmakers: No evidence school districts violated law," 5 July 2018
Many of the current classrooms in the main building have been transformed into science laboratories, leaving little room for other subjects, like social studies.

— zahria rogers, The Courier-Journal, "St. Xavier High School submits plans for $6 million library renovation," 3 July 2018
The day typically runs from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lamphere said, and includes reading, writing, math, science and social studies classes.

— mikaela porter, Courant Community, "West Hartford Ben Bronz Academy Moves Into New Space Next To Northwest Catholic," 29 June 2018
The Michigan Education Department has been working for years on revising the social studies standards, which cover history, geography and civics education.

— valerie strauss, Washington Post, "Conservatives win controversial changes in Michigan’s proposed new social studies standards," 25 June 2018
Bob Glascock, 66, is a former county social studies teacher and Ellicott City resident.

— jess nocera, Howard County Times, "Voters to narrow a wide field for Howard school board," 25 June 2018
He was hired by the district as a social studies teacher in July 2003.

— wbtv, charlotteobserver, "Former Iredell teacher accused of sex offenses with 15-year-old girl," 22 June 2018
Mari, 41, of Acworth, graduated from the University of Georgia and taught social studies for 10 years at Cass High School in Bartow County.

— raisa habersham, ajc, "Funeral set for prominent attorney killed at law office," 22 June 2018
In social studies, 71 percent of students passed the state’s civics exam — typically taken by seventh-graders — compared with 61 percent in 2014.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Florida releases 2018 test results for reading, math, science and social studies," 15 June 2018

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

First Known Use of social studies

1853

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Other Education Terms

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

SOCIAL STUDIES Defined for English Language Learners

social studies

noun

Definition of social studies for English Language Learners

: a course of study that deals with human relationships and the way society works

SOCIAL STUDIES Defined for Kids

social studies

noun plural

Definition of social studies for Students

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

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social studies

Definition of social studies

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SOCIAL STUDIES Defined for English Language Learners

social studies

Definition of social studies for English Language Learners

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social studies

Definition of social studies for Students

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