anthropology
noun
Did you know?
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.
Examples of anthropology in a Sentence
Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
The Spanish-American documentary filmmaker and cinematographer graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelors degree in anthropology and film in 2013 and lived in Crown Heights.
—Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
Christopher Morgan, a professor of anthropology and archaeology at the University of Nevada, Reno, described the findings as important, especially given that so few cave sites in North America remain with intact deposits.
—Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
But the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History includes an extensive anthropology collection and supports research programs.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anthropology
Cite this Entry
“Anthropology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropology. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anthropology
noun
Medical Definition
anthropology
noun
Share