What does "concentration" mean?

1. (a gathering in one place) a large number of people or things brought together in one area. 2. (academic focus) a specific subject that a student chooses to focus on during their degree.

How do you use "concentration"?

Frequently used in urban planning and sociology contexts.

concentration

US //ˌkɑnsənˈtɹeɪʃən// UK //kˌɒnsəntɹˈeɪʃən// con·cen·tra·tion

1 a gathering in one place (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic

a large number of people or things brought together in one area.

a high density or clustering of items or people within a specific geographic or physical space.

Example

There is a heavy concentration of tech companies in this part of the city.

Example

The high concentration of industry along the riverbanks has led to significant environmental challenges for the local government.

Usage

Frequently used in urban planning and sociology contexts.
- dispersion
- scattering
2 academic focus (n.)
C1 Advanced American English Academic

a specific subject that a student chooses to focus on during their degree.

a specific area of emphasis within a broader academic major or field of study.

Example

She is a history major with a concentration in Latin American studies.

Example

The university offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in sustainable finance and corporate social responsibility.

Teacher's tip

This is primarily used in the US higher education system; British universities usually prefer 'specialism' or 'pathway'.

Origin

From New Latin concentrātiō (“(1550) action or an act of coming together at a single place; (1659) extraction or separation of one or more of the metals present in an alloy”). Compare French concentration, Spanish concentración, Italian concentrazione (last quarter of 16th century). Equivalent to concentrate + -ion. By surface analysis, con- + centre + -ate + -ion.