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

These generational trends and marketplace changes, documented across numerous studies, have led to significant shifts in societal attitudes toward careers. —Ebony Flake, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024

But many studies investigating the potential of liquid biopsy tests for the early detection of pancreatic cancer are still in the early phases. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024

Advertisement Das, of Syngenta, said paraquat has been the subject of more than 1,200 safety studies. —Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Motta and his sister, Dr. Gabriella Motta, a Pennsylvania veterinarian, published a 2023 study that found that nearly 40% of U.S. dog owners believe canine vaccines are unsafe. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

The study found that just over half of adolescents in the United States have received two or more doses of the vaccine. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024

The study was also small and relied on patients self-reporting their egg consumption and other dietary patterns. —Francisco J. Rivera Rosario, Health, 6 Apr. 2024

It was inspired by a study conducted nearly 100 years ago by William M. Wheeler and a team of collaborators. —Geraldine Castro, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024

The most recent study was released earlier this month and was conducted during a partial eclipse on October 14, 2023. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024

Verb

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

Past eclipses have enabled scientists to study the sun’s structure, provide the first proof of Einstein’s theory of general relativity and even discover helium decades before the element was found on Earth. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

This offers scientists an uncommon opportunity to study the corona. —USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024

The eclipse offers a unique opportunity to study the atmosphere, says Mary Bowden, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland. —Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024

Researchers also studied zoo animals during the 2017 solar eclipse. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024

Scientists are eager to study why animals behave unusually during the brief moments of eclipses, and the public is invited to participate in some of the research taking place Monday. And expect the local temperature to drop briefly during those few moments of totality. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024

Active clinical trials to study cannabis are few and far between, which means that the drug currently has no clear pathways to be federally approved for other indications. —Jane C. Hu, The Atlantic, 8 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