# ethnography

/ɛθnˈɒɡɹəfi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ethnography
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the study of people and their cultures, especially by living with them for a long time and observing their daily lives.

For teachers: the systematic study of people and cultures, typically involving the researcher living among the group being studied to gain an insider's perspective.

## Examples

- The researcher spent a year on ethnography to understand the local traditions.
- Through ethnography, the team learned how local farmers adapted their irrigation methods to the changing climate.
- Modern ethnography often combines traditional fieldwork with digital tools to map social networks and track how cultural practices evolve across different generations.

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