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

One of the books on the syllabus was authored by Bill Walsh, the genius behind the 49ers and the West Coast offense. —Kevin Sherrington feb. 4, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026

The syllabus needs to be built around the plan. —Mitch Zimmer, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026

Professors whose syllabi require in-person screenings outside of class time might see their enrollment drop, Meredith Ward, director of the Program in Film and Media Studies at Johns Hopkins University, told me. —Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026

His course was still flagged and Peterson had to remove readings, including Plato, from his syllabus. —Samuel O’Neal 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026

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)