teaching

1 of 3

noun

teach·​ing ˈtē-chiŋ How to pronounce teaching (audio)
Synonyms of teachingnext
1
: the act, practice, or profession of a teacher
2
: something taught
especially : doctrine
the teachings of Confucius

teaching

2 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, used for, or engaged in teaching
a teaching aid
the teaching profession
a teaching assistant

teaching

3 of 3

present participle of teach

Synonyms of teaching

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Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of teaching in a Sentence

Noun He went into teaching after college. a chemist who has devoted his career to teaching, even though he could have made a lot more money in an industrial job
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.
Noun
These changes threaten to increase classroom sizes, reduce teaching standards and gut federal requirements supporting children with disabilities. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Imperial Business School has already created digital twins of professors, while Georgia Tech has deployed AI teaching assistant Jill Watson across large online classes. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The clearest example of CTU failing to win friends and influence people is its ongoing feud with Local 73 of the Service Employees International Union over who gets to represent various non-teaching employees of Chicago Public Schools. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Earlier this year, San Diego Unified’s deal on a contract with its teachers union caused consternation over possible cuts it was feared to have caused to non-teaching staff. — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for teaching

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of teaching was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing teaching

Rhymes for teaching

See All Rhymes for teaching

Browse Nearby Words

teach-in
teaching
teaching aid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

teaching

noun
teach·​ing
1
: the act, practice, or profession of a teacher
2
: something taught
especially : doctrine

More from Merriam-Webster on teaching

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about teaching

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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