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study Definition

study (stud′ē)

noun pl. stud′·ies

  1. the act or process of applying the mind so as to acquire knowledge or understanding, as by reading, investigating, etc.
  2. careful attention to, and critical examination and investigation of, any subject, event, etc.
    1. a branch of learning or knowledge
    2. any subject of study
  4. formal education; schooling
  5. a product of studying; specif.,
    1. an essay or thesis embodying the results of a particular investigation
    2. a work of literature or art treating a subject in careful detail and typically done as an exercise in technique, experimentation, or exploration
    3. a first sketch for a story, picture, etc.
    4. étude
  6. an earnest effort or intention
  7. a state of mental absorption; reverie
  8. a room, as in a house, designed for study, writing, reading, etc.
  9. a person with reference to the ability to memorize, comprehend, etc. a quick study

Etymology: ME studie < OFr estudie < L studium, zeal, study < studere, to busy oneself about, apply oneself to, study, orig., prob., to aim toward, strike at, akin to tundere, to strike, beat < IE *(s)teud- < base *(s)teu-, to beat > stock, steep

transitive verb stud′·ied, stud′y·ing

  1. to apply one's mind to attentively; try to learn or understand by reading, thinking, etc. to study history
    1. to examine or investigate carefully to study the problem of air pollution
    2. to look at carefully; scrutinize to study a map
    1. to read (a book, lesson, etc.) so as to know and understand it
    2. to concentrate on so as to memorize
  4. to take a course in, as at a school or college
  5. to give attention, thought, or consideration to studying possible changes

intransitive verb

  1. to study something
  2. to be a student; take a regular course (at a school or college)
  3. to make earnest efforts; try hard
  4. to meditate; ponder

study Idioms

study up on

☆

Informal to make a careful study of

study Synonyms

study

n.

  1. A place in which to study

    schoolroom, library, studio; see office 3, room 2.

  2. The act of studying

    research, investigation, memorizing, learning, reading, inquiry, examination, consideration, questioning, analyzing, comparison, thought, reflection, reasoning; see also education 1, learn 1.

  3. That which one studies

    subject, branch of learning, field of knowledge, art; see knowledge 1.

study Synonyms

study

v.

  1. To endeavor to learn

    read, go into, refresh the memory, read up on, burn the midnight oil, bone up, go over, cram, think, go in for, inquire, bury oneself in, dive into, plunge into.

  2. To endeavor to understand

    examine, scrutinize, analyze, investigate; see consider 3, examine 1. See syn. study at consider.

study Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • undertake: He has previously undertaken studies sponsored by the JRF.
  • conduct: She is now extending her research by conducting an international comparative study with the UK.
  • publish: Data from one of the economic studies along with a published study of patients ' quality of life were used in the model.
  • commission: Nottingham City Council have commissioned a study looking at access to Newstead Abbey and its grounds.

Preposition: at

Guildhall: Peter was born in London and studied at the Guildhall School of Music.

Adjective modifier

  • comparative: She is now extending her research by conducting an international comparative study with the UK.
  • recent: There was a recent study in Science by Tanya Singer that had people attend a scanning session with their loved one.
  • detailed: The trial involves a combination of detailed studies at Hillsborough coupled with on-farm survey work.
  • cultural: It is therefore a central theme for cultural studies, a basic study object.
  • further: Further study at the London Veterinary College provided a Diploma in Veterinary Surgery, awarded Spring 1818.
  • longitudinal: Forty-four eleven-year-old Gypsy Traveler pupils across England agreed to take part in this unique, longitudinal study that was funded by the Nuffield Foundation.

Modifies a noun

  • skill: Students can choose from a number of different course options covering written and spoken English and study skills.
  • bedroom: Each College has its own library and computer cluster, and the majority of study bedrooms are connected to the Internet.

Noun used with modifier

  • case: Case study: Happy to be in control Richard Freeman, 38, says he likes the control offered by an offset mortgage.
  • feasibility: It follows on from a feasibility study into re-use.
  • postgraduate: We can help you with advice on postgraduate study.
  • pilot: In their pilot study of twenty children over six months, two thirds had improved seizure control on the diet.
  • case-control: Response bias in a case-control study: Analysis utilizing comparative data concerning legal abortions from two independent Swedish studies.

Preposition: for

  • priesthood: He studied for the priesthood at Oscott College, Birmingham, and was ordained on January 17, 1976.
  • degree: If you're interested in studying for a research degree, please contact the relevant School Postgraduate Research Tutor for an informal discussion.