Definition of TUTELAGE

Did You Know?

The Latin verb tuēri means "to look at" or "to guard." When "tutelage" first began appearing in print in the early 1600s, it was used mainly in the protective sense of "tuēri," as writers described serfs and peasants of earlier eras as being "under the tutelage of their lord." Over time, however, the word's meaning shifted away from guardianship and toward instruction. This pattern of meaning can also be seen in the related nouns "tutor" (which shifted from "a guardian" to "a private teacher") and "tuition" (which now refers to the act or profession of teaching or the cost of instruction but originally meant "protection, care, or custody especially as exercised by a parent or guardian over a child or ward").

Examples of tutelage in a Sentence

The company is relying on the tutelage of its new CEO to increase profits. a governess overseeing the tutelage of the family's children

Recent Examples on the Web

The narrative that Harbaugh's quarterback tutelage has been a mess for three years at Michigan is flawed, because things were headed toward a good place before Speight turned in a goose egg and wrecked a shoulder in game 10 of 2016. — Nick Baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "If Michigan QBs return to efficiency, Jim Harbaugh's offense can reignite," 30 May 2018 The new team of excavators is being trained under the expertise and tutelage of Marina Elliott and Becca Peixotto. — Lydia Pyne, Ars Technica, "Rising Star found a new species—now it wants to find a new way for paleoanthropology," 20 Dec. 2018 After breaking into the game under J. Cole’s tutelage, the South Central rapper took his time, crafting a 14-song narrative about ambition, maturity and self-discovery. — Andres Tardio, Billboard, "Cozz Breaks Down Debut Album 'Effected,' Track-by-Track: Exclusive," 22 Feb. 2018 Well, Ken Holland wanted depth and more tutelage in his locker room. — Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Did Detroit Red Wings help or hurt rebuild with veteran signings?," 8 July 2018 Not everyone enjoyed the tutelage of a charismatic teacher who was part exacting literary conscience, part Pied Piper. — The Economist, "Capturing the voice of a brilliant, unorthodox teacher of literature," 28 June 2018 Taught by his father, Harry, to play the game, Rodgers eventually came under the tutelage at La Jolla of 29-time tour winner and renowned teacher Paul Runyan. — Tod Leonard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Phil Rodgers dies; San Diegan enjoyed golf successes playing, teaching," 26 June 2018 Experts, world leaders and the IMF worry, however, that the Belt/Road looks a lot like political tutelage with the intended goal of generating economic dependency — these projects often involve significant debts owed to China. — Karen J. Alter, Washington Post, "Trump’s tariffs aren’t the biggest trade problem. Will China step up to protect the WTO?," 18 June 2018 Under Mas Canosa's tutelage, the company went on to become Church & Tower and thrived. — Christopher Marquis, miamiherald, "Jorge Mas Canosa dead at 58," 15 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tutelage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.