anthropology

noun

an·​thro·​pol·​o·​gy ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jē 

1

: the science of human beings

especially : the study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

2

: theology dealing with the origin, nature, and destiny of human beings

anthropological

ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

anthropologically

ˌan(t)-thrə-pə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

anthropologist

ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jist 

noun

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The Origin of Anthropology

The word anthropology dates back to the late 16th century, but it was not until the 19th century that it was applied to the academic discipline that now bears its name. In the United States, this field of study is typically divided into four distinct branches: physical (or biological) anthropology, archaeology, cultural (or social) anthropology, and linguistic anthropology.

Anthropology is from the New Latin word anthropologia (“the study of humanity”) and shares its ultimate root in Greek, anthrōpos (“human being”), with a number of other words in English, such as anthropomorphize, philanthropy, and misanthrope.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

That may represent the future, but the past is just a short walk across campus in the stacks of the anthropology library. —Tim Arango, BostonGlobe.com, 2 May 2023

Youngstown police started to work on identifying the remains, and took the bones to the anthropology department of Youngstown State University, Simon said. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2023

My mom and her work in anthropology and archeology [were a big motivator]. —Leah Campano, Seventeen, 27 Jan. 2023

Arewa, who is also an anthropology scholar, noted that one recent incarnation of the issue is the use of music produced by Black artists in TikTok dances by White creators. —Julian Mark, Washington Post, 10 May 2023

The examination and excavation of the site was conducted by Bruwelheide, Douglas Owsley, a Smithsonian curator of biological anthropology, and Parno and his team of archaeologists. —Michael E. Ruane, Anchorage Daily News, 5 May 2023

The other closures have not drawn the intense opposition that the anthropology library shutdown has. —Tim Arango, New York Times, 2 May 2023

Mullins hired Jeremy Wilson, current chair of the anthropology department at IUPUI. —Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Apr. 2023

Mark Hubbe, an anthropology professor at Ohio State University, said there is no evidence of giant skeletons in Ohio. —Eleanor Mccrary, USA TODAY, 5 Oct. 2022

See More

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin anthropologia "study of humanity, science of human nature," from anthropo- anthropo- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing anthropology

• cultural anthropology
• physical anthropology

• cultural anthropology
• physical anthropology

Kids Definition

anthropology

noun

an·​thro·​pol·​o·​gy ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jē 

: the science of human beings and especially of their physical characteristics, their origin, their environment and social relations, and their culture

anthropological

-pə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

anthropologist

-ˈpäl-ə-jəst 

noun

Medical Definition

anthropology

noun

an·​thro·​pol·​o·​gy ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jē 

plural anthropologies

: the science of humans

especially : the study of humans in relation to distribution, origin, classification, and relationship of races, physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

anthropological

-pə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

anthropologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

anthropologist

ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jəst 

noun