academy
uh-KAD-uh-mee
Academy (noun) means a school, college, or institution devoted to a particular subject or level of education. Example: “She trained at a prestigious ballet academy in Paris.”
noun
1
A school, college, or institution devoted to a particular subject or level of education.
"She trained at a prestigious ballet academy in Paris."
"He enrolled his son in a local military academy."
"My cousin goes to an art academy where she studies painting."
2
A society of scholars, scientists, or artists formed to advance a particular field.
"He was elected to the national academy of sciences."
"The academy of music publishes a journal and gives awards to its members."
"Being invited to join the academy was the proudest moment of her career."
How to use academy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA specialized school or training institution, or a formal society of experts in a field.
Common pairings
police academy
academy award
military academy
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Word forms
- Plural
- academies
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She trained at a prestigious ballet _____ in Paris.
Etymology
From Latin Academia, from Greek Akademia — the garden outside Athens named after the hero Akademos, where Plato taught.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for academy
See all rhymes for academy →Frequently asked questions
What does “academy” mean?
The word “academy” means a school, college, or institution devoted to a particular subject or level of education. In plain terms, a specialized school or training institution, or a formal society of experts in a field.
How do you pronounce “academy”?
“Academy” is pronounced uh-KAD-uh-mee (/əˈkæd.ə.mi/ in IPA).
How do you use “academy” in a sentence?
Here is “academy” used in a sentence: “She trained at a prestigious ballet academy in Paris.”
What part of speech is “academy”?
“Academy” is a noun.
Where does the word “academy” come from?
The word “academy” comes from Latin. From Latin Academia, from Greek Akademia — the garden outside Athens named after the hero Akademos, where Plato taught.
Is “academy” a common word?
“Academy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “academy” have?
“Academy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a school, college, or institution devoted to a particular subject or level of education.
What is the difference between an academy and a school?
'School' is the general word for any place of learning. 'Academy' usually suggests something more specialized or prestigious, an institution focused on a particular field or level, such as a military academy, an art academy, or a sports academy. Every academy is a school, but not every school calls itself an academy.
What are the types of academies?
Academies specialize widely. Military academies train officers; art, music, and drama academies teach the performing and fine arts; sports academies develop athletes; and national academies of science or letters honor leading scholars. Some ordinary schools also use the name to signal a distinct focus or independent status.
Where does the word 'academy' come from?
It traces back to Akademia, the grove near Athens where the philosopher Plato taught his students around 387 BC. The site was named after the hero Akademos. Over centuries the term came to mean any institution of higher learning, and today it names schools, societies, and awards alike.
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