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¹course

noun \ˈkȯrs\

: the path or direction that something or someone moves along

: a path or route that runners, skiers, bikers, etc., move along especially in a race

: a series of classes about a particular subject in a school

Full Definition of COURSE

: the act or action of moving in a path from point to point

: the path over which something moves or extends: as

a : racecourse

b (1) : the direction of travel of a vehicle (as a ship or airplane) usually measured as a clockwise angle from north; also : the projected path of travel (2) : a point of the compass

c : watercourse

d : golf course

a : accustomed procedure or normal action <the law taking its course>

b : a chosen manner of conducting oneself : way of acting <our wisest course is to retreat>

c (1) : progression through a development or period or a series of acts or events (2) : life history, career

: an ordered process or succession: as

a : a number of lectures or other matter dealing with a subject; also : a series of such courses constituting a curriculum <a premed course>

b : a series of doses or medications administered over a designated period

a : a part of a meal served at one time <the main course>

b : layer; especially : a continuous level range of brick or masonry throughout a wall

c : the lowest sail on a square-rigged mast

— in due course

: after a normal passage of time : in the expected or allotted time <his discoveries led in due course to new forms of treatment>

— of course

: following the ordinary way or procedure <will be done as a matter of course>

: as might be expected <of course we will go>

See course defined for English-language learners

See course defined for kids

Origin of COURSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French curs, course, from Latin cursus, from currere to run — more at car

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COURSE

Synonyms: line, methodology, policy, procedure, program

Rhymes with COURSE

coarse, corse, force, gorse, hoarse, horse, Morse, Norse, source

²course

verb

: to move or flow quickly

coursedcours·ing

Full Definition of COURSE

transitive verb

: to follow close upon : pursue

a : to hunt or pursue (game) with hounds

b : to cause (dogs) to run (as after game)

: to run or move swiftly through or over : traverse <jets coursed the area daily>

intransitive verb

: to run or pass rapidly along or as if along an indicated path <blood coursing through the veins>

See course defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of COURSE

15th century

Related to COURSE

Synonyms: bird-dog, chase, follow, dog, hound, pursue, run, shadow, tag, tail, trace, track, trail

Antonyms: guide, lead, pilot

COURSE Defined for Kids

¹course

noun \ˈkȯrs\

Definition of COURSE for Kids

: motion from one point to another : progress in space or time <The earth makes its course around the sun in 365 days.> <During the course of a year he meets dozens of people.>

: the path over which something moves <The ship was blown off course.>

: a natural channel for water <A trail follows the river's course.>

: a way of doing something <Choose a course of action.>

: the ordinary way something happens over time <the course of business>

: a series of acts or proceedings arranged in regular order <a course of therapies>

: a series of classes in a subject <a geography course>

: a part of a meal served separately <We ate a three course dinner.>

— of course

: as might be expected <You know, of course, that I like you.>

Word Root of COURSE

The Latin word currere, meaning “to run,” and its form cursus give us the roots curr and curs. Words from the Latin currere have something to do with running. A current is the direction in which a river runs or flows. When two people concur, their ideas or opinions run together in agreement. A course is the path over which something moves or runs.