teaching

1 of 2

noun

teach·​ing ˈtē-chiŋ 

1

: the act, practice, or profession of a teacher

2

: something taught

especially : doctrine

the teachings of Confucius

teaching

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, used for, or engaged in teaching

a teaching aid

the teaching profession

a teaching assistant

Synonyms of teaching

Noun

• education
• schooling
• instruction

Examples of teaching in a Sentence

Noun

He went into teaching after college.

a chemist who has devoted his career to teaching, even though he could have made a lot more money in an industrial job

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

New voices, new philosophies, new ways of teaching and new sets of data to parse through. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026

At the same meeting, the school board will take up a vote to rewrite the state’s social studies curriculum, focusing more on Texas and US history and deemphasizing some teachings about global history and cultures. — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Adjective

Earlier this year, San Diego Unified’s deal on a contract with its teachers union caused consternation over possible cuts it was feared to have caused to non-teaching staff. — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026

In April more than 300 non-teaching staff members were laid off. — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 5 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1853, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing teaching

• practice teaching
• student teaching
• teaching assistant
• teaching hospital

Rhymes for teaching

• bleaching
• breaching
• breeching
• leaching
• preaching
• reaching
• screeching
• beseeching
• impeaching
• overreaching

Kids Definition

teaching

noun

teach·​ing

1

: the act, practice, or profession of a teacher

2

: something taught

especially : doctrine