thesis

noun

the·​sis ˈthē-səs 

 British especially for sense 3  ˈthe-sis

plural theses ˈthē-ˌsēz 

1

: a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view

especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree

2

a

: a proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof : hypothesis

b

: a position or proposition that a person (such as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers to maintain by argument

3

a(1)

: the unstressed part of a poetic foot especially in accentual verse

(2)

: the longer part of a poetic foot especially in quantitative verse

b

: the accented part of a musical measure : downbeat compare arsis

4

: the first and least adequate stage of dialectic compare synthesis

Did you know?

In high school, college, or graduate school, students often have to write a thesis on a topic in their major field of study. In many fields, a final thesis is the biggest challenge involved in getting a master's degree, and the same is true for students studying for a Ph.D. (a Ph.D. thesis is often called a dissertation). But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove them.

Synonyms

• argument
• assertion
• contention

Examples of thesis in a Sentence

She wrote her thesis on Renaissance Nativity scenes.

a master's thesis on the effects of global warming

New evidence supports his thesis.

We disagreed with the basic thesis of the report.

The book's central thesis is that propaganda influences the masses in important ways.

Recent Examples on the Web

Students have access to scholarships like the Robert De Niro Award and get $10,000 towards their thesis projects — a commitment that will continue after a recent anonymous $500,000 donation from an Oscar-winner. —Abbey White, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024

While at the same time making crystal clear that the investment thesis for the company should be entirely focused on its tech endeavors. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

To graduate, students had to submit a thesis for approval by a small committee of staff members, leading to only a handful of graduates per year. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2024

But the snark is not merely entertainment — the portrait is central to the main thesis of Roberts’s engaging and thought-provoking book, one focused on the theatrical politics and often deeply troubling science that shape our definitions of life on Earth. —Deborah Blum, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Or at the very least, a strong thesis that there is no ‘one,’ but instead a lot of different people who can fit the role. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

Since graduating with her master's in religion and public life from Harvard Divinity School in 2022, Rogers — now a fellow — has been working to turn her thesis into a book. —Jeff Nelson, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

At the National University of La Plata in neighboring Argentina, Dr. Almada received a doctorate in education in 1974 and wrote a thesis arguing that Paraguay’s education system supported the elite’s dominance and reinforced economic inequities. —Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

This experience inspired Tuchman to write her senior thesis on how education is a tool for social justice. —Geri Stengel, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

in sense 3, Middle English, lowering of the voice, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down — more at do

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a(1)

Kids Definition

thesis

noun

the·​sis ˈthē-səs 

plural theses ˈthē-ˌsēz 

1

: a statement put forth for discussion or proof : hypothesis

2

: a long essay presenting the results of original research