# doctorate

/ˈdɑktɝət/ (US) · /dˈɒktəɹˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/doctorate
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. academic degree

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the highest degree you can get at a university, showing you are an expert in your subject.

For teachers: the highest academic degree conferred by a university, typically following the completion of a doctoral thesis or dissertation.

- After five years of hard research, she finally received her doctorate in chemistry.
- The candidate successfully defended her thesis, earning a doctorate that solidified her reputation as a leading expert in medieval literature.

### 2. to confer a degree

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

to give someone the title of doctor.

For teachers: to confer a doctoral degree upon an individual.

- The university prepared to doctorate the new graduates during the spring ceremony.
- In the university's early history, the faculty would doctorate candidates through a rigorous series of public oral examinations.

Usage: This verb form is rarely encountered in modern English; the noun form is almost always preferred.

Teaching tip: Modern speakers use 'award a doctorate' or 'confer a degree' rather than using 'doctorate' as a verb.

## Examples

- She earned her doctorate in biology last year.
- He spent three extra years at university to complete his doctorate in history.
- The university requires candidates to defend their doctoral thesis before a panel of experts before the degree is conferred.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.