ethnography

noun

eth·​nog·​ra·​phy eth-ˈnä-grə-fē How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
: the study and systematic recording of human cultures
also : a descriptive work produced from such research
ethnographer
eth-ˈnä-grə-fər How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
noun
ethnographic
ˌeth-nə-ˈgra-fik How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
adjective
or ethnographical
ˌeth-nə-ˈgra-fi-kəl How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
ethnographically
ˌeth-nə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
adverb

Examples of ethnography in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 When Small Things Reveal The Truth That move from macro to micro gave birth to retail ethnography. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 Other analysts have turned to digital ethnography of social media as an alternative source of insight. — Elizaveta Gaufman, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2026 Kolitz’s ethnography, crucially, does not portray gooners as some freakishly niche cohort operating at the outer edges of society. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ethnography

Word History

Etymology

French ethnographie, from ethno- + -graphie -graphy

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethnography was in 1811

Rhymes for ethnography

See All Rhymes for ethnography

Browse Nearby Words

ethnographic
ethnography
ethnohistorian
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ethnography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnography. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

ethnography

noun
eth·​nog·​ra·​phy eth-ˈnäg-rə-fē How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
plural ethnographies
: the study and systematic recording of human cultures
also : a descriptive work produced from such research
ethnographic
ˌeth-nə-ˈgraf-ik How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
adjective
or ethnographical
-i-kəl How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
ethnographically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce ethnography (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ethnography

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ethnography

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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