plural studies
1
: a state of contemplation : reverie
2
a
: application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge
years of study
b
: such application in a particular field or to a specific subject
the study of Latin
c
: careful or extended consideration
the proposal is under study
d(1)
: a careful examination or analysis of a phenomenon, development, or question
(2)
: the published report of such a study
3
: a building or room devoted to study or literary pursuits
5
a
: a branch or department of learning : subject
—often used in plural
American studies
b
: the activity or work of a student
returning to her studies after vacation
c
: an object of study or deliberation
every gesture a careful study—
Marcia Davenport
Marcia Davenport
d
: something attracting close attention or examination
6
: a person who learns or memorizes something (such as a part in a play)
—usually used with a qualifying adjective
he's a quick study
7
: a literary or artistic production intended as a preliminary outline, an experimental interpretation, or an exploratory analysis of specific features or characteristics
8
: a musical composition for the practice of a point of technique
studied; studying
1
a
: to engage in study
b
: to undertake formal study of a subject
1
: to read in detail especially with the intention of learning
2
: to engage in the study of
study biology
4
: to consider attentively or in detail
studying his face for a reaction
Examples of study in a Sentence
Noun
Becoming a doctor requires years of study.
You can improve your knowledge of the natural world by study and observation.
She will return to her studies after vacation.
He left the service to pursue his studies.
The agency conducted an environmental study.
He took part in a study of childhood obesity.
The study of the new drug will be published next year.
Verb
Did you study for the test?
She's studying to be a teacher.
I studied the request carefully.
She was studying his face for a reaction.
The proposal was studied in great detail.
The effects of the drug have never been thoroughly studied.
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
He was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, but currently does not have lawful status in the country, officials said.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Simmone Shah, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Throughout the film, del Toro flits and hovers between contradictory ideas, with the restlessness of the beautiful butterflies that Elizabeth, an amateur entomologist, likes to study.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for study
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Eventually, his interests expanded to include dental anthropology—the study of how teeth offer clues to species’ diets, health, and even evolution and migration.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
He was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, but currently does not have lawful status in the country, officials said.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
The indicators studied include extreme heat, weather events, food security, and pollution.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Throughout the film, del Toro flits and hovers between contradictory ideas, with the restlessness of the beautiful butterflies that Elizabeth, an amateur entomologist, likes to study.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for study
Cite this Entry
“Study.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/study. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
study
1 of 2 noun
plural studies
1
: a state of thinking about something steadily : reverie
2
a
: use of the mind to acquire knowledge
years of study
b
: careful or prolonged consideration
the proposed change is under study
c
: a careful examination or investigation of something
also
: a report or publication based on such a study
3
: a building or room devoted to study, reading, or writing
4
a
: a division or area of learning : subject
American studies
b
: the actions or work of a student
returned to her studies after vacation
5
: a person who learns or memorizes something (as a part in a play)
—usually used with an adjective
he's a quick study
study
2 of 2 verb
studied; studying
1
: to engage in study or the study of
studied hard
liked to study geography
2
: to give close attention to
study a part in a play
studied the request carefully
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