student

noun

stu·​dent ˈstü-dᵊnt How to pronounce student (audio)
ˈstyü-
chiefly Southern -dənt
Synonyms of studentnext
often attributive
1
: scholar, learner
especially : one who attends a school
2
: one who studies : an attentive and systematic observer
a student of politics

Examples of student in a Sentence

a group of college students She is a student at Georgetown University.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The city's public school system had also implemented a bell-to-bell cell phone last year limiting students' use of devices during the instructional day. Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 Thirty complaints were filed against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, in a San Francisco federal court by people present at the shooting, including students, teachers and a principal. Shannon Bond, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026 Technical glitches caused screens to freeze or abruptly kick students out of the system. Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026 Fordham Law said it was heartbroken by the death of its former student. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for student

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin student-, studens, from present participle of studēre to study — more at study

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of student was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Student.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/student. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

student

noun
stu·​dent ˈst(y)üd-ᵊnt How to pronounce student (audio)
chiefly Southern -ənt
1
: scholar sense 1
especially : one who attends a school or college
2
: one who studies
a student of life
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