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

Since graduating, Oeffling has spent the past few years substitute teaching with the intent of becoming a social studies teacher. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

House Bill 4427, which was signed into law this year, will prohibit adjunct instructors from teaching core subjects in elementary schools, including math, English language arts, science and social studies. — Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 21 Sep. 2026

What else will Texas students learn under the new social studies standards? — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

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

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)