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
Holt worked as a social studies and driver’s education teacher and in a grain mill before retiring and moving to the trailer park, where Smith hired him as a handyman and groundskeeper.
—
Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2023
To graduate in New York now, most students earn 22 credits, and pass five Regents exams in subjects like English, math and social studies.
—Troy Closson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Illingworth helped lead the district’s conservative push over the past two years, including for a new social studies curriculum, a gag order on staff and cuts to mental health programs.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2023
The exam covered basic knowledge of social studies, science, math, literature, and writing.
—Emma Green, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2023
Zohreh Shayan said her son in high school had been fearful to express his views during a social studies class in which the teacher emphasized solidarity with Israel.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2023
He is certified to teach social studies for grades seven through 12 and holds a technical permit for television broadcasting.
—Cynthia Howell, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2023
On the Catholic University campus in Northeast, a Kentucky social studies teacher visiting for a conference was fatally shotin July, apparently while struggling with a robber, police said.
—Emily Davies, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2023
Bryan Chu, who is paid about $75,000 per school year, has been on paid administrative leave from his role as a middle school social studies teacher at Harriet Tubman Middle School since April of 2022.
—oregonlive, 19 Sep. 2023
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Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2023
To graduate in New York now, most students earn 22 credits, and pass five Regents exams in subjects like English, math and social studies.
—Troy Closson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Illingworth helped lead the district’s conservative push over the past two years, including for a new social studies curriculum, a gag order on staff and cuts to mental health programs.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2023
The exam covered basic knowledge of social studies, science, math, literature, and writing.
—Emma Green, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2023
Zohreh Shayan said her son in high school had been fearful to express his views during a social studies class in which the teacher emphasized solidarity with Israel.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2023
He is certified to teach social studies for grades seven through 12 and holds a technical permit for television broadcasting.
—Cynthia Howell, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2023
On the Catholic University campus in Northeast, a Kentucky social studies teacher visiting for a conference was fatally shotin July, apparently while struggling with a robber, police said.
—Emily Davies, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2023
Bryan Chu, who is paid about $75,000 per school year, has been on paid administrative leave from his role as a middle school social studies teacher at Harriet Tubman Middle School since April of 2022.
—oregonlive, 19 Sep. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'social studies.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1853, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near social studies
Cite this Entry
“Social studies.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20studies. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
social studies
noun plural
: the studies dealing with human relationships and the way society works (as history, civics, economics, and geography)
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