ethnography

noun

eth·​nog·​ra·​phy eth-ˈnä-grə-fē 

: the study and systematic recording of human cultures

also : a descriptive work produced from such research

ethnographer

eth-ˈnä-grə-fər 

noun

ethnographic

ˌeth-nə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

or ethnographical

ˌeth-nə-ˈgra-fi-kəl 

ethnographically

ˌeth-nə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of ethnography in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Behavioral science, ethnography and rich qualitative work will become more valuable, not less. — Abigail Stuart, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Cultural anthropology ethnographic methods have provided a strong foundation for the study of digital cultures, or the ethnography of cyberspace, also referred to as netnography. — Paulo Nuno Vicenteall, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026

But the emergence of these overdue ethnographies speaks to a growing demand from readers for books that dig deep, uncovering stories that rarely get told. — Jamie Feldmar, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026

Brian Halpin’s ethnography of a California catering company shows how managers treated workers as disposable not by firing them, but by manipulating their hours. — Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French ethnographie, from ethno- + -graphie -graphy

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ethnography

• arthrography
• biography
• cartography
• cosmography
• cryptography
• demography
• discography
• echography
• filmography
• geography
• hydrography
• lithography

Medical Definition

ethnography

noun

eth·​nog·​ra·​phy eth-ˈnäg-rə-fē 

plural ethnographies

: the study and systematic recording of human cultures

also : a descriptive work produced from such research

ethnographic

ˌeth-nə-ˈgraf-ik 

adjective

or ethnographical

-i-kəl 

ethnographically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb