What does "essay" mean?

1. (written composition) a short piece of writing on a particular subject, often done as part of school or university work. 2. (an attempt) a formal attempt to do or achieve something difficult. 3. (to try) to try to do something, especially something new or challenging. 4. (stamp or banknote design) a design for a new postage stamp or paper money that has not been used yet.

How do you use "essay"?

Commonly used with the verbs 'write', 'submit', or 'assign'.

essay

n. · v.

US //ˈɛˌseɪ// es·say

1 written composition (n.)
A2 Elementary Academic

a short piece of writing on a particular subject, often done as part of school or university work.

a short analytic, interpretive, or critical literary composition, usually dealing with a specific topic from a personal or limited perspective.

Example

I have to finish my history essay by tomorrow morning.

Example

The professor requested a five-page essay exploring the socio-economic causes of the industrial revolution in northern England.

Usage

Commonly used with the verbs 'write', 'submit', or 'assign'.
2 an attempt (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Literary

a formal attempt to do or achieve something difficult.

an initial effort or attempt to accomplish a specific task or goal.

Example

This was his first essay at public speaking, and he was very nervous.

Example

Despite his lack of experience, his first essay at diplomatic negotiation yielded surprisingly positive results for the small nation.

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3 to try (v.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Literary

to try to do something, especially something new or challenging.

to make an attempt at a task; to put something to a test or trial.

Example

She decided to essay a new style of painting after years of realism.

Example

The mountain climber prepared to essay the difficult north face, despite the worsening weather conditions and limited supplies.
- abandon
- neglect
4 stamp or banknote design (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical

a design for a new postage stamp or paper money that has not been used yet.

a trial design for a postage stamp or banknote, submitted for approval but not necessarily adopted for final production.

Example

The collector paid a high price for a rare essay of the 1920 stamp.

Example

The museum's philatelic department contains several unique essays that show the evolution of the national currency's aesthetic design.
- draft
- trial design

Etymology 1

Since late 16th century, borrowed from Middle French essay, essai (“essay”), meaning coined by Montaigne at the same time, from the same words with the earlier meanings 'experiment; assay; attempt', from Old French essay, essai, assay, assai, from Latin exagium (“weight; weighing, testing on the balance”), from exigere + -ium.

Etymology 2

From Middle French essayer, essaier, from Old French essaiier, essayer, essaier, assaiier, assayer, assaier, from essay, essai, assay, assai (“attempt; assay; experiment”) as above.