academy

noun

acad·​e·​my ə-ˈka-də-mē How to pronounce academy (audio)
plural academies
Synonyms of academy
1
a
: a school usually above the elementary level
especially : a private high school
b
: a high school or college in which special subjects or skills are taught
c
: higher education
—used with the
the functions of the academy in modern society
2
Academy
a
: the school for advanced education founded by Plato
b
: the philosophical doctrines associated with Plato's Academy
3
: a society of learned persons organized to advance art, science, or literature
4
: a body of established opinion widely accepted as authoritative in a particular field

Did you know?

Our word academy comes from the Greek word Akademeia, the name of the park or grove outside of ancient Athens where the philosopher Plato taught his students. Just as schools and parks today are often named after famous persons, the Akademeia had been named in honor of a Greek hero, Akademos.

Synonyms of academy

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Examples of academy in a Sentence

an academy of the fine arts
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.
Selling youth players has proved profitable for many other Premier League sides and there has been speculation this week over the future of Myles Lewis-Skelly, while his fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri is someone the club are open to selling. — Kaya Kaynak, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 It’s further set off with cabaret-style setting in the academy’s gallery. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Great Things typically makes three- to five-year pledges, supporting nonprofits such as an after-school boxing academy in the Bronx and Every Cure, which repurposes existing drugs to treat rare disease. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026 The academy said those applications have generated nearly 10 million yuan in additional sales. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for academy

Word History

Etymology

in sense 2, borrowed from Latin Acadēmīa, borrowed from Greek Akadḗmeia, Akadēmía, from the name of the gymnasium near Athens where Plato taught, from Akádēmos, Attic mythological hero + -eia or -ia -y entry 2; in senses 1, 3, and 4 borrowed from French, Italian, & New Latin; French académie, borrowed from Italian & New Latin; Italian accademia, borrowed from New Latin academia, going back to Latin Acadēmīa

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of academy was in 1549

Browse Nearby Words

academist
academy
Academy Award
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Academy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academy. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

academy

noun
acad·​e·​my ə-ˈkad-ə-mē How to pronounce academy (audio)
plural academies
1
a
: school entry 1 sense 1a
especially : a private high school
b
: an institution for training in special subjects or skills
military academy
2
: an organization of people specializing in knowledge in a particular subject
Etymology

Greek Akadēmeia, the grove outside Athens where Plato had his school

Word Origin
Our word academy comes from the Greek word Akadēmeia, the name of the park or grove outside of ancient Athens where the philosopher Plato taught his students. Just as schools and parks today are often named after famous persons, the Akadēmeia had been named in honor of a Greek hero, Akadēmos.

More from Merriam-Webster on academy

Nglish: Translation of academy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about academy

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