# education

/ˌɛdʒəˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌɛdʒuːkˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/education
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the process of teaching and learning

noun · CEFR A2

the process of teaching people, especially in a school, college, or university.

For teachers: the systematic process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.

- The government is spending more money on education to improve local schools.
- Universal access to primary education remains a cornerstone of international development goals, aimed at reducing systemic poverty across the region.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general system or process.

### 2. a person's specific schooling

noun · CEFR A2

the particular school or university experience that a person had.

For teachers: the specific stage or type of formal instruction received by an individual.

- She received a good education at a small private college in the city.
- His formal education was interrupted by the war, though he later completed his degree through a series of correspondence courses.

Usage: Countable in this sense; often preceded by an adjective like 'good', 'formal', or 'technical'.

### 3. knowledge gained

noun · CEFR B1

the knowledge and skills you have gained through learning.

For teachers: the wealth of knowledge, acquired skills, and developed character resulting from a period of study.

- Travel can give you a different kind of education than books do.
- The internship provided a practical education in corporate law that no classroom lecture could fully replicate.

### 4. the field of study

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the study of how to teach people.

For teachers: the field of study that deals with the methods and problems of teaching; pedagogy.

- After finishing her degree, she decided to pursue a career in education.
- Recent research in education suggests that smaller class sizes significantly improve student engagement in mathematics.

Usage: Often used as a modifier, as in 'education department' or 'education policy'.

## Examples

- A good education is important for finding a job.
- The government is investing more money into primary education to reduce class sizes and improve literacy rates.
- While formal education provides the necessary credentials for professional entry, lifelong learning remains essential for adapting to the rapid technological shifts of the modern workforce.

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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.