student

noun

stu·​dent ˈstü-dᵊnt How to pronounce student (audio)
ˈstyü-
chiefly Southern -dənt
Synonyms of studentnext
often attributive
1
: scholar, learner
especially : one who attends a school
2
: one who studies : an attentive and systematic observer
a student of politics

Synonyms of student

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Examples of student in a Sentence

a group of college students She is a student at Georgetown University.
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.
The students also demanded changes in the judiciary and urgent investigations in top-level corruption cases that might have been sidelined due to political pressure under Vucic. — Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026 We were actually invested in organizing Black students on our campus. — Mark Guiducci, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026 This sends the wrong message to students, says Paul Novosad, an economics professor at Dartmouth College, a school whose own provost’s use of AI in writing led to the administrator’s recent resignation. — Austin Horn, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026 Most important to Benson was that scientists and their students have the opportunity to research matters of great consequence. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for student

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin student-, studens, from present participle of studēre to study — more at study

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of student was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing student

Rhymes for student

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Browse Nearby Words

stud driver
student
student's t distribution
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Cite this Entry

“Student.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/student. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

student

noun
stu·​dent ˈst(y)üd-ᵊnt How to pronounce student (audio)
chiefly Southern -ənt
1
: scholar sense 1
especially : one who attends a school or college
2
: one who studies
a student of life
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