tutelage
noun
Did you know?
Tutelage comes from the Latin verb tueri, meaning "to look at" or "to guard." When it first appeared in English at the turn of the 17th century, this word was used mainly in the protective sense of tueri; writers would describe 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 typically refers to the cost of instruction but which originally referred to the protection, care, or custody by a parent or guardian over a child or ward.
Examples of tutelage in a Sentence
David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Feb. 2026
Bilodeau has also benefited from Cronin’s tutelage.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Patterns, pops of color, new shapes and styles helped define his brand under his tutelage.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Now, the Vikings must find a new lead talent evaluator and also determine whether McCarthy can make a significant leap forward under Kevin O’Connell’s tutelage.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tutelage
Cite this Entry
“Tutelage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tutelage. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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tutelage
noun
