treatise

noun

trea·​tise ˈtrē-təs 

 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

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

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

Rhymes for treatise

• fetus
• foetus
• meatus
• thetis
• caritas
• civitas
• cellulitis
• margaritas
• tonsillitis

Kids Definition

treatise

noun

trea·​tise ˈtrēt-əs 

: a book or article examining a subject carefully and completely