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

Yes, ballet, jazz, hip hop, African and tap are on the syllabus—but so is purpose. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 9 May 2025

My first class there, the syllabus was Baldwin, Annie Dillard, Foucault. —David Marchese, New York Times, 3 May 2025

The hot girls’ syllabus includes books by the patron saint of sad girls, Sally Rooney, and is bolstered by the works of Ottessa Moshfegh, Melissa Broder, Emma Cline and Elif Batuman. —Meg Zukin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025

More than any literary prize or celebrity book club, the school syllabus shapes American reading. —Alexander Manshel, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 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)