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 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

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is joining Mr. Vance at the Vatican, has previously pointed to Pope Leo XIII’s landmark 19th-century treatise Rerum Novarum, which addressed the needs and dignity of workers, as a basis for his own views about economic reform. —Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 18 May 2025

Take a look at this excerpt from a paper released by Anthropic, which is actually an academic treatise written by a number of authors. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

In 1689, Locke examined natural rights in the second treatise of Two Treatises on Government, but his first treatise established the full meaning of those rights. —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