homework

noun

home·​work ˈhōm-ˌwərk How to pronounce homework (audio)
Synonyms of homeworknext
1
: piecework done at home for pay
2
: an assignment given to a student to be completed outside the regular class period
3
: preparatory reading or research (as for a discussion or a debate)

Examples of homework in a Sentence

She started her algebra homework.
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.
The Evidence Is Already Here A RAND American Youth Panel survey found that 67% of students say AI harms their critical thinking, even as student use for homework continued to rise. — Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 For instance, kids can carry contagions home along with their homework. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026 Some courses require a homework platform portal, which can cost a few hundred dollars, Shrivastava said. — Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Back-to-school season means new schedules, activities, homework and about a million things for parents to remember. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for homework

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of homework was in 1662

Rhymes for homework

See All Rhymes for homework

Browse Nearby Words

Homewood
homework
homeworker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Homework.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homework. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

homework

noun
home·​work ˈhōm-ˌwərk How to pronounce homework (audio)
: work and especially school lessons to be done outside the regular class period

More from Merriam-Webster on homework

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for homework

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about homework

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