study

1 of 2

noun

ˈstə-dē 

plural studies

1

: a state of contemplation : reverie

2

a

: application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge

years of study

b

: such application in a particular field or to a specific subject

the study of Latin

c

: careful or extended consideration

the proposal is under study

d(1)

: a careful examination or analysis of a phenomenon, development, or question

(2)

: the published report of such a study

3

: a building or room devoted to study or literary pursuits

4

: purpose, intent

it has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses

—Jane Austen

5

a

: a branch or department of learning : subject

—often used in plural

American studies

b

: the activity or work of a student

returning to her studies after vacation

c

: an object of study or deliberation

every gesture a careful study

—Marcia Davenport

d

: something attracting close attention or examination

6

: a person who learns or memorizes something (such as a part in a play)

—usually used with a qualifying adjective

he's a quick study

7

: a literary or artistic production intended as a preliminary outline, an experimental interpretation, or an exploratory analysis of specific features or characteristics

8

: a musical composition for the practice of a point of technique

study

2 of 2

verb

studied; studying

intransitive verb

1

a

: to engage in study

b

: to undertake formal study of a subject

2

dialect : meditate, reflect

3

: endeavor, try

transitive verb

1

: to read in detail especially with the intention of learning

2

: to engage in the study of

study biology

3

: plot, design

4

: to consider attentively or in detail

studying his face for a reaction

studier

ˈstə-dē-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• delving
• disquisition
• examen
• examination
• exploration
• inquest
• inquiry
• inquisition
• investigation
• probation
• probe
• probing
• research

Verb

• bone (up)

Choose the Right Synonym for study

consider, study, contemplate, weigh mean to think about in order to arrive at a judgment or decision.

consider may suggest giving thought to in order to reach a suitable conclusion, opinion, or decision.

refused even to consider my proposal

study implies sustained purposeful concentration and attention to details and minutiae.

study the plan closely

contemplate stresses focusing one's thoughts on something but does not imply coming to a conclusion or decision.

contemplate the consequences of refusing

weigh implies attempting to reach the truth or arrive at a decision by balancing conflicting claims or evidence.

weigh the pros and cons of the case

Examples of study in a Sentence

Noun

Becoming a doctor requires years of study.

You can improve your knowledge of the natural world by study and observation.

She will return to her studies after vacation.

He left the service to pursue his studies.

The agency conducted an environmental study.

He took part in a study of childhood obesity.

The study of the new drug will be published next year.

Verb

Did you study for the test?

She's studying to be a teacher.

I studied the request carefully.

She was studying his face for a reaction.

The proposal was studied in great detail.

The effects of the drug have never been thoroughly studied.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2020, Biden won by 24 points among voters 18-29, according to a detailed post-election study by the Pew Research Center. —David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Numerous studies have shown that many patients of color contend with discrimination in health care settings and more often receive worse medical care than white patients, according to the report. —Eleanore Catolico, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024

One recent government study discovered PFAS chemicals in nearly half of the nation’s tap water. —Coral Davenport, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Another recent study, from researchers at Duke University Medical Center, found distrust in health care providers to be a common theme in the top 100 videos tagged with #IUD, which had 471 million views and 1 million shares. —Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2024

For that to change in the coming years more studies need to happen, something that Biden’s executive order announcing a $12 billion dollar investment in women’s health research can hopefully help facilitate (Origin is currently applying for one of the research grants). —Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2024

Decades of successful producer responsibility programs in Canada and Europe show that the costs to Coloradans will be fractions of a penny per unit of packaging, a finding confirmed by a recent study done for Colorado. —Kevin Bommer, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024

Initial studies also suggest that low zinc levels may increase risk for more severe COVID-19 symptoms. —Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Verywell Health, 19 Apr. 2024

Some recent studies suggest that the addition of AI tools could help boost the accuracy of mammography results. —Lauryn Higgins, Health, 19 Apr. 2024

Verb

Growing Beyond Earth takes their endeavor to a larger scale, with more people studying more plants at a quicker pace. —Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024

Victimology, or studying the victim to gain insight into the perpetrator’s behavior, is also an important component of forensic science. —Christian Mysliwiec, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024

The Maryland center spent more than two years studying the health of the five watersheds in southeast Michigan, and did more than simply examine the quality of the water. —Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024

But the overwhelming win is a warning to nonunion manufacturers, said Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University in Detroit who studies the union. —Kristin M. Hall, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024

While studying at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Rebekah Peppler got just the right push to follow her dreams. —Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024

For parents struggling to juggle courses, study time and raising a child, the conflicting demands can seem overwhelming. —Jon Marcus, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024

Catena first started studying the soils in earnest over a decade ago, with an average of five pits dug per hectare to see what lies below the surface. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

Now, Bennett is pregnant with her second child and studying biochemistry at Trinity Washington University with hopes of starting a pharmaceutical brand. —Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English studie, from Anglo-French estudie, from Latin studium, from studēre to devote oneself, study; probably akin to Latin tundere to beat — more at contusion

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing study

• brown study
• case study
• course of study
• fast/quick study
• feasibility study
• independent study
• make a study of
• self-study
• slow study
• study hall
• work-study program

Kids Definition

study

1 of 2 noun

ˈstəd-ē 

plural studies

1

: a state of thinking about something steadily : reverie

2

a

: use of the mind to acquire knowledge

years of study

b

: careful or prolonged consideration

the proposed change is under study

c

: a careful examination or investigation of something

also : a report or publication based on such a study

3

: a building or room devoted to study, reading, or writing

4

a

: a division or area of learning : subject

American studies

b

: the actions or work of a student

returned to her studies after vacation

5

: a person who learns or memorizes something (as a part in a play)

—usually used with an adjective

he's a quick study

study

2 of 2 verb

studied; studying

1

: to engage in study or the study of

studied hard

liked to study geography

2

: to give close attention to

study a part in a play

studied the request carefully