syllabus

noun

syl·​la·​bus ˈsi-lə-bəs 

plural syllabi ˈsi-lə-ˌbī 

-ˌbē

or syllabuses

1

: a summary outline of a discourse, treatise, or course of study or of examination requirements

2

: headnote sense 2

Examples of syllabus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the first class in every MBA school syllabus. —Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025

Here’s a suggested syllabus, from our connoisseur. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025

Yet when asked to create a syllabus for viewers of movies that inspired the fifth and final season, the Duffers rattled off an impressive list of films spanning the ’80s and beyond. —Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025

The actress revealed that the school’s syllabus includes several non-fiction books, ranging from politics in Russia to those penned by early English authors. —Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, alteration of Latin sillybus label for a book, from Greek sillybos

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

syllabus

noun

syl·​la·​bus ˈsil-ə-bəs 

plural syllabi -ˌbī 

-ˌbē

or syllabuses

: a brief outline (as of a course of study)