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

• investigation
• examination
• inquiry
• exploration
• research
• probe

Verb

• research
• read
• analyze
• learn
• go over

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 2022, a study published in the journal Animal Cognition, saw 28 dogs and their owners recruited for a special game of hide-and-seek. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025

The collapse of tropical forests was the primary cause of the prolonged global warming that followed, according to a new study published July 2 in the British journal Nature Communications. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 July 2025

Verb

Leadership roles and extracurricular activities have prepared Poway High School Salutatorian Michael Markoff to tackle the challenges of studying medicine at UCLA this fall. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025

That’s what researchers Kayla Clark from Rice University and Stephanie Leal from University of California, Los Angeles, have now studied. —Eva Amsen, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

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

Rhymes for study

• bloody
• buddy
• cuddy
• muddy
• ruddy
• scudi
• restudy
• understudy

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