academy

noun

acad·​e·​my ə-ˈka-də-mē How to pronounce academy (audio)
plural academies
1
a
: a school usually above the elementary level
especially : a private high school
b
: a high school or college in which special subjects or skills are taught
c
: higher education
used with the
the functions of the academy in modern society
2
capitalized
a
: the school for advanced education founded by Plato
b
: the philosophical doctrines associated with Plato's Academy
3
: a society of learned persons organized to advance art, science, or literature
4
: a body of established opinion widely accepted as authoritative in a particular field

Did you know?

Our word academy comes from the Greek word Akademeia, the name of the park or grove outside of ancient Athens where the philosopher Plato taught his students. Just as schools and parks today are often named after famous persons, the Akademeia had been named in honor of a Greek hero, Akademos.

Examples of academy in a Sentence

an academy of the fine arts
Recent Examples on the Web Indeed, the academy already has an extensive social media guide that is provided to cadets. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 His dream ended by an ACL injury, Stan used to abandon Joy and the kids for days at a time until the academy gave him a new identity as a coach and community leader. Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Audiences also tune out when the academy voters celebrate smaller art house films not widely known to the broader TV audience. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Abada is a native of Petah Tikva, Israel, and is a product of the Maccabi Petah Tikva soccer academy. Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 Once again, the academy listened and sheepishly retracted the idea. Travis Andrews, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Awards The top 5 takeaways from the 2024 Oscars, according to those who were there March 11, 2024 Still, all conflicts are put aside for that very special day, this Hollywood Christmas, when the academy hands out its major trophies. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The academy recommends guns be unloaded any time they're set down. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 But seriously, the academy has a crisis team in place. William Earl, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'academy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

in sense 2, borrowed from Latin Acadēmīa, borrowed from Greek Akadḗmeia, Akadēmía, from the name of the gymnasium near Athens where Plato taught, from Akádēmos, Attic mythological hero + -eia or -ia -y entry 2; in senses 1, 3, and 4 borrowed from French, Italian, & New Latin; French académie, borrowed from Italian & New Latin; Italian accademia, borrowed from New Latin academia, going back to Latin Acadēmīa

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of academy was in 1549

Dictionary Entries Near academy

Cite this Entry

“Academy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

academy

noun
acad·​e·​my ə-ˈkad-ə-mē How to pronounce academy (audio)
plural academies
1
a
: school entry 1 sense 1a
especially : a private high school
b
: an institution for training in special subjects or skills
military academy
2
: an organization of people specializing in knowledge in a particular subject
Etymology

Greek Akadēmeia, the grove outside Athens where Plato had his school

Word Origin
Our word academy comes from the Greek word Akadēmeia, the name of the park or grove outside of ancient Athens where the philosopher Plato taught his students. Just as schools and parks today are often named after famous persons, the Akadēmeia had been named in honor of a Greek hero, Akadēmos.

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