doctorate

noun

doc·​tor·​ate ˈdäk-t(ə-)rət How to pronounce doctorate (audio)
: the degree, title, or rank of a doctor

Examples of doctorate in a Sentence

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.
Cambridge initially stood by Arday, saying that the plagiarism allegations had been investigated by Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded Arday’s doctorate. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 Karim Kattan was born in 1989 in Jerusalem, grew up in Bethlehem, and holds a doctorate in comparative literature. — Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026 Hillings holds a doctorate in art history from New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts and a degree in art history from Duke University. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Continue into Lewiston for Clearwater Canyon Cellars, where winemaker Coco Umiker holds a doctorate in wine microbiology and her husband Karl holds a master’s in soil science. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for doctorate

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of doctorate was in 1570

Browse Nearby Words

doctorand
doctorate
doctorbird
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Cite this Entry

“Doctorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doctorate. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

doctorate

noun
doc·​tor·​ate ˈdäk-t(ə-)rət How to pronounce doctorate (audio)
: the degree, title, or rank of a doctor

More from Merriam-Webster on doctorate

Nglish: Translation of doctorate for Spanish Speakers

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