treatise

noun

trea·​tise ˈtrē-təs How to pronounce treatise (audio)
 also  -təz
1
: a systematic exposition or argument in writing including a methodical discussion of the facts and principles involved and conclusions reached
a treatise on higher education
2
obsolete : account, tale

Examples of treatise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The thirty-page note is less a theological treatise than an ethical report. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025 Trump’s friend Rudy Giuliani, after his successful leadership as mayor of New York during 9/11, wrote a compelling treatise on leadership and offered 14 principles for would-be leaders. Michael Eric Siegel, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2025 The Art of Dancing in Seventeenth-Century Spain, my translation of and commentary on Juan De Esquivel Navarro’s treatise, has a chapter on the science of the period. Chava Pearl Lansky, JSTOR Daily, 30 July 2025 Throughout that first treatise, Locke excoriated the divine right of kings. Time, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for treatise

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tretis, from Anglo-French tretiz, alteration of tretez, traitet, from Medieval Latin tractatus, from Latin tractare to treat, handle

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of treatise was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Treatise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treatise. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

treatise

noun
trea·​tise ˈtrēt-əs How to pronounce treatise (audio)
: a book or article examining a subject carefully and completely

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