syllabus

noun

syl·​la·​bus ˈsi-lə-bəs How to pronounce syllabus (audio)
plural syllabi ˈsi-lə-ˌbī How to pronounce syllabus (audio)
-ˌbē
 or syllabuses
Synonyms of syllabus
1
: a summary outline of a discourse, treatise, or course of study or of examination requirements
2
: headnote sense 2

Examples of syllabus 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.
This fall, all syllabuses for all classes will be publicly available. — Matt Boedy, AJC.com, 18 May 2026 For example, the robot could find a course syllabus in Gmail and then hop to a shopping app to add the necessary books to your shopping cart. — ArsTechnica, 12 May 2026 Monuments, syllabi, grant priorities—these are not sacred relics but civic choices. — The Atlantic, 16 June 2026 Professors are censoring themselves in lectures and rewriting syllabuses. — Bruce Schneier, The Conversation, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for syllabus

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, alteration of Latin sillybus label for a book, from Greek sillybos

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of syllabus was circa 1656

Browse Nearby Words

syllabub
syllabus
syllepsis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

syllabus

noun
syl·​la·​bus ˈsil-ə-bəs How to pronounce syllabus (audio)
plural syllabi -ˌbī How to pronounce syllabus (audio)
-ˌbē
 or syllabuses
: a brief outline (as of a course of study)

More from Merriam-Webster on syllabus

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for syllabus

Nglish: Translation of syllabus for Spanish Speakers

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