academy
noun
acad·e·my
ə-ˈka-də-mē 
plural academies
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.
Examples of academy in a Sentence
an academy of the fine arts
Recent Examples on the Web
Karl Mayer has incorporated its long-running academy training program into the TIC, offering machine training, workshops and hands-on development support aimed at technicians, brand employees, service specialists and textile students.
—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Guerra is a Valencia youth academy product that has made 118 Spanish top flight appearances for the club of his life, while also being capped once by the senior national team in 2026.
—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
As an investigation into the 18-month-old boy's death continues, the academy's owner shared her sorrow for the grieving parents.
—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
Across two spells at Palace, Clyne, who graduated through the club’s academy, made 252 appearances for the club.
—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for academy
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Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Guerra is a Valencia youth academy product that has made 118 Spanish top flight appearances for the club of his life, while also being capped once by the senior national team in 2026.
—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
As an investigation into the 18-month-old boy's death continues, the academy's owner shared her sorrow for the grieving parents.
—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
Across two spells at Palace, Clyne, who graduated through the club’s academy, made 252 appearances for the club.
—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for academy
Cite this Entry
“Academy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academy. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
academy
noun
acad·e·my
ə-ˈkad-ə-mē
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.
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