psychology
noun
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The Roots of Psychology
The word psychology was formed by combining the Greek psychē (meaning “breath, principle of life, life, soul,”) with –logia (which comes from the Greek logos, meaning “speech, word, reason”). An early use appears in Nicholas Culpeper’s mid-17th century translation of Simeon Partliz’s A New Method of Physick, in which it is stated that “Psychologie is the knowledg of the Soul.” Today, psychology is concerned with the science or study of the mind and behavior. Many branches of psychology are differentiated by the specific field to which they belong, such as animal psychology, child psychology, and sports psychology.
Examples of psychology in a Sentence
Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
That’s not to overstate the depth or emotive nature of a fun little ride that uses broad-brush psychology as an excuse for an elegant puzzle-box that, once solved, does not require further thought.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
This shift marks the rise of the growth hacker CISO, a leader who blends deep technical expertise with product strategy, user psychology and business acumen.
—Durga Krishnamoorthy, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
And therapist Stelios Kiosses incorporated lessons on the discipline in his recent culinary psychology course at Oxford University, based on his own experience of cooking with clients.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for psychology
Cite this Entry
“Psychology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychology. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
psychology
noun
from scientific Latin psychologia "the study of the mind and behavior," derived from Greek psychē "soul, mind" and Greek -logia "science, study"
Medical Definition
psychology
noun
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