anthropology

noun an·thro·pol·o·gy \ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jē\

: the study of human races, origins, societies, and cultures

Full Definition of ANTHROPOLOGY

: the science of human beings; especially : the study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

: theology dealing with the origin, nature, and destiny of human beings

— an·thro·po·log·i·cal \-pə-ˈlä-ji-kəl\ adjective

— an·thro·po·log·i·cal·ly \-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— an·thro·pol·o·gist \ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jist\ noun

See anthropology defined for English-language learners

See anthropology defined for kids

Origin of ANTHROPOLOGY

New Latin anthropologia, from anthrop- + -logia -logy

First Known Use: 1593

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

Rhymes with ANTHROPOLOGY

cosmetology, etymology, genealogy, martyrology, phraseology, radiology

ANTHROPOLOGICAL Defined for Kids

anthropology

noun an·thro·pol·o·gy \ˌan-thrə-ˈpä-lə-jē\

Definition of ANTHROPOLOGY for Kids

: a science that studies people and especially their history, development, distribution and culture

Medical Dictionary

anthropology

noun an·thro·pol·o·gy \ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jē\

plural an·thro·pol·o·gies

Medical Definition of ANTHROPOLOGY

: the science of humans; especially : the study of humans in relation to distribution, origin, classification, and relationship of races, physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture

—an·thro·po·log·i·cal \-pə-ˈläj-i-kəl\ adjective

—an·thro·po·log·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

—an·thro·pol·o·gist \ˌan(t)-thrə-ˈpäl-ə-jəst\ noun