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abbreviation or noun

Definition of phd, examples of phd in a sentence.

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

Word History

New Latin philosophiae doctor

1839, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near PhD

Cite this entry.

“PhD.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/PhD. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.

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abbreviation for

  • Doctor of Philosophy AlsoDPhil

Example Sentences

He also bragged about earning a PhD, a point Smerconish did not question.

Even his nametag played up his dweeby nature, labeling him “Mr. Gruber, PhD.”

Throughout her life, she faced public ridicule, legal persecution and, eventually, redemption through a PhD in clinical sexology.

“It is impossible by elections to choose normal people,” argues Yoram Gat, an Israeli software engineer with a PhD in statistics.

The son of Taiwanese immigrants, he grew up in California and earned his PhD in neuroscience at Stanford.

Damn few of them got it from me, I'm happy to say, and those that did, knew more about the subject than most PhD's.

It was a great diversion from the late nights working on my PhD.

Cambridge Dictionary

  • Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of PhD in English

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  • associate's degree
  • baccalaureate
  • do a degree
  • Doctor of Medicine
  • doctorate in something
  • Master of Arts
  • Master of Science
  • Master's degree
  • postgraduate
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education
  • second degree
  • summa cum laude

Ph.D. | American Dictionary

Translations of phd.

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phd dictionary definition

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Definition of PhD noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

  • to do/have/be a PhD
  • Anne Thomas, PhD
  • acquire/​get/​lack (an) education/​training/ (British English) (some) qualifications
  • receive/​provide somebody with training/​tuition
  • develop/​design/​plan a curriculum/ (especially British English) course/ (North American English) program/​syllabus
  • give/​go to/​attend a class/​lesson/​lecture/​seminar
  • hold/​run/​conduct a class/​seminar/​workshop
  • sign up for/​take a course/​classes/​lessons
  • go to/​start preschool/​kindergarten/​nursery school
  • be in (North American English) the first, second, etc. grade/ (British English) year 1, 2. etc. (at school)
  • study/​take/​drop history/​chemistry/​German, etc.
  • (British English) leave/​finish/​drop out of/ (North American English) quit school
  • (North American English) graduate high school/​college
  • be the victim/​target of bullying
  • (British English) play truant from/ (both British English, informal) bunk off/​skive off school (= not go to school when you should)
  • (both especially North American English) skip/​cut class/​school
  • (British English) cheat in/ (North American English) cheat on an exam/​a test
  • get/​be given a detention (for doing something)
  • be expelled from/​be suspended from school
  • do your homework/ (British English) revision/​a project on something
  • work on/​write/​do/​submit an essay/​a dissertation/​a thesis/​an assignment/ (North American English) a paper
  • finish/​complete your dissertation/​thesis/​studies/​coursework
  • hand in/ (North American English) turn in your homework/​essay/​assignment/​paper
  • study/​prepare/ (British English) revise/ (North American English) review/ (North American English, informal) cram for a test/​an exam
  • take/ (both British English) do/​sit a test/​an exam
  • (especially British English) mark/ (especially North American English) grade homework/​a test
  • (British English) do well in/ (North American English) do well on/ (especially North American English, informal) ace a test/​an exam
  • pass/​fail/ (especially North American English, informal) flunk a test/​an exam/​a class/​a course/​a subject
  • apply to/​get into/​go to/​start college/ (British English) university
  • leave/​graduate from law school/​college/ (British English) university (with a degree in computer science)
  • study for/​take/ (British English) do/​complete a law degree/​a degree in physics
  • (both North American English) major/​minor in biology/​philosophy
  • earn/​receive/​be awarded/​get/​have/​hold a master’s degree/​a bachelor’s degree/​a PhD in economics
  • dissertation

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Definition of 'PhD'

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COMMENTS

  1. PhD Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    The meaning of PHD is the academic degree, title, or rank of doctor of philosophy; also : a person who has earned the academic degree of doctor of philosophy. How to use PhD in a sentence.

  2. PHD Definition & Meaning - Dictionary.com

    PhD definition: the highest degree, a doctorate, awarded by a graduate school in a field of academic study, usually to a person who has completed at least three years of graduate study and a dissertation approved by a committee of professors.. See examples of PHD used in a sentence.

  3. PhD | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

    PhD definition: 1. abbreviation for doctor of philosophy: the highest college or university degree, or someone who…. Learn more.

  4. Doctor of Philosophy - Wikipedia

    A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or DPhil; Latin: philosophiae doctor or doctor in philosophia) [1] is a terminal degree, that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of graduate study and original research.

  5. PhD noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

    noun. /ˌpiː eɪtʃ ˈdiː/ (also Ph.D. especially in North American English) a university degree of a very high level that is given to somebody who has done research in a particular subject; a person who has this degree (the abbreviation for ‘Doctor of Philosophy’) to do/have/be a PhD. Anne Thomas, PhD. Collocations Education. Topics Education b2.

  6. PHD definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

    A PhD is a degree awarded to people who have done advanced research into a particular subject. PhD is an abbreviation for 'Doctor of Philosophy'. He is more highly educated, with a PhD in Chemistry.

  7. PhD - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

    The abbreviation PhD stands for "Doctor of Philosophy," and it's also called a Doctorate. Students who attend graduate school and continue their studies beyond a Master's Degree eventually receive a PhD.

  8. PhD Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    PHD meaning: 1 : the highest degree given by a university or college; 2 : a person who has a PhD.

  9. Doctorate - Wikipedia

    A doctorate (from Latin doctor, meaning "teacher") or doctoral degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism licentia docendi ("licence to teach").

  10. What Does 'PhD' Stand For? - Coursera

    PhD stands for “Doctor of Philosophy,” which refers to the immense knowledge a student gains when earning the degree. While you can actually get a PhD in philosophy, "Doctor of Philosophy" doesn't always refer to someone who has a terminal degree in that discipline.