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Definition of homework

Examples of homework in a sentence, word history.

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Dictionary Entries Near homework

Cite this entry.

“Homework.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homework. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of homework, more from merriam-webster on homework.

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for homework

Nglish: Translation of homework for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of homework for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about homework

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[ hohm -wurk ]

  • schoolwork assigned to be done outside the classroom ( distinguished from classwork ).
  • a single assignment of such schoolwork: Homeworks are due at the beginning of class.
  • paid work done at home , as piecework.

to do one's homework for the next committee meeting.

/ ˈhəʊmˌwɜːk /

  • school work done out of lessons, esp at home
  • any preparatory study
  • work done at home for pay

Word History and Origins

Origin of homework 1

Idioms and Phrases

Example sentences.

Now, they log on to Zoom from their bedrooms, surrounded by unfinished homework assignments and tattered stuffed animals, waiting to be assigned calls, texts and emails by the trained therapists who oversee the program.

Yow started her homework and saw Frese had gone 35-22 with two winning seasons at Ball State, which hadn’t had a winning record in its previous nine seasons.

Do some homework before investing in a diamond, and that lifelong commitment.

Another poster included an image of their losses over what appeared to be online math homework.

As we countdown to Inauguration Day, I've been doing my homework—and looking to the past for inspiration.

“I can help my children with their homework and sometimes we text in English at my job,” Santos says.

Scheunemann, meanwhile, had no idea who Spencer was, and did some homework.

She jumped at the chance to watch RT, or jumped at the chance to skip calculus homework.

And we encourage parent-student “contracts,” for class attendance, homework submission and even extra-curriculum activities.

Adicéam did his homework, spending 50 days collecting pieces, many with unexpected stories behind them.

Much of this homework is done by a very bad light and the boy's eyes suffer much.

For homework we have prepared alphabets where the letters are printed in type-writing order.

His parents were always getting angry with him for losing his clothes, or his toys, or his homework.

Only at the time when he was going to Beauregard School, with his homework.

And once a week or twice a week she was sending her homework or something to him.

Related Words

  • arrangement
  • construction
  • establishment
  • preparedness
  • qualification

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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Definition of homework noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

  • I always do my homework on the bus.
  • physics/geography/French, etc. homework
  • I still haven't done my geography homework.
  • How much homework do you get?
  • for homework I have to write up the notes for homework.
  • (especially North American English) I have to finish this homework assignment .
  • acquire/​get/​lack (an) education/​training/ (British English) (some) qualifications
  • receive/​provide somebody with training/​tuition
  • develop/​design/​plan a curriculum/ (especially British English) course/ (North American English) program/​syllabus
  • give/​go to/​attend a class/​lesson/​lecture/​seminar
  • hold/​run/​conduct a class/​seminar/​workshop
  • sign up for/​take a course/​classes/​lessons
  • go to/​start preschool/​kindergarten/​nursery school
  • be in (North American English) the first, second, etc. grade/ (British English) year 1, 2. etc. (at school)
  • study/​take/​drop history/​chemistry/​German, etc.
  • (British English) leave/​finish/​drop out of/ (North American English) quit school
  • (North American English) graduate high school/​college
  • be the victim/​target of bullying
  • (British English) play truant from/ (both British English, informal) bunk off/​skive off school (= not go to school when you should)
  • (both especially North American English) skip/​cut class/​school
  • (British English) cheat in/ (North American English) cheat on an exam/​a test
  • get/​be given a detention (for doing something)
  • be expelled from/​be suspended from school
  • do your homework/ (British English) revision/​a project on something
  • work on/​write/​do/​submit an essay/​a dissertation/​a thesis/​an assignment/ (North American English) a paper
  • finish/​complete your dissertation/​thesis/​studies/​coursework
  • hand in/ (North American English) turn in your homework/​essay/​assignment/​paper
  • study/​prepare/ (British English) revise/ (North American English) review/ (North American English, informal) cram for a test/​an exam
  • take/ (both British English) do/​sit a test/​an exam
  • (especially British English) mark/ (especially North American English) grade homework/​a test
  • (British English) do well in/ (North American English) do well on/ (especially North American English, informal) ace a test/​an exam
  • pass/​fail/ (especially North American English, informal) flunk a test/​an exam/​a class/​a course/​a subject
  • apply to/​get into/​go to/​start college/ (British English) university
  • leave/​graduate from law school/​college/ (British English) university (with a degree in computer science)
  • study for/​take/ (British English) do/​complete a law degree/​a degree in physics
  • (both North American English) major/​minor in biology/​philosophy
  • earn/​receive/​be awarded/​get/​have/​hold a master’s degree/​a bachelor’s degree/​a PhD in economics
  • Have you finished your homework?
  • Have you done your physics homework yet?
  • I was helping my sister with her maths homework.
  • The homework assignments are worth 10% of the final grade.
  • I have some homework to do on the Civil War.
  • I want you to hand in this homework on Friday.
  • The science teacher always gives a lot of homework.
  • They get a lot of homework in English.
  • They get masses of homework at secondary school.
  • We had to write out one of the exercises for homework.
  • for homework
  • homework  on

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

  • You could tell that he had really done his homework (= found out all he needed to know) .

Nearby words

Definition of 'homework'

IPA Pronunciation Guide

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homework in British English

Homework in american english, examples of 'homework' in a sentence homework, cobuild collocations homework, trends of homework.

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Browse alphabetically homework

  • homeward journey
  • homework assignment
  • homework club
  • homework diary
  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'H'

Related terms of homework

  • do homework
  • school homework
  • homework exercise
  • View more related words

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Cambridge Dictionary

  • Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of homework in English

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  • The kids are busy with their homework.
  • My science teacher always sets a lot of homework.
  • "Have you got any homework tonight ?" "No."
  • I got A minus for my English homework.
  • For homework I want you to write a paper on an endangered species .
  • academic year
  • access course
  • Advanced Placement
  • asynchronous
  • foundation course
  • grade retention
  • the national curriculum
  • work placement

homework | Intermediate English

Homework | business english, examples of homework, translations of homework.

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to deal successfully with a difficult situation or a problem

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  • English    Noun
  • Intermediate    Noun
  • do your homework
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IMAGES

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  6. How to Tackle Homework Issues Before They Become a Problem

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COMMENTS

  1. Homework Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    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.

  2. HOMEWORK | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

    noun. uk / ˈhəʊmwɜːk / us. do your homework. Add to word list. to study a subject or situation carefully so that you know a lot about it and can deal with it successfully: The company working on the project had clearly done their homework on universal design issues.

  3. DO YOUR HOMEWORK | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

    DO YOUR HOMEWORK definition: 1. to study a subject or situation carefully so that you know a lot about it and can deal with it…. Learn more.

  4. Homework - Wikipedia

    Homework is a set of tasks assigned to students by their teachers to be completed at home. Common homework assignments may include required reading, a writing or typing project, mathematical exercises to be completed, information to be reviewed before a test, or other skills to be practiced. The benefits of homework are debated.

  5. DO HOMEWORK definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

    Homework is school work that teachers give to pupils to do at home in the evening or at the weekend. See full entry for 'homework' Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary .

  6. HOMEWORK Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

    noun. schoolwork assigned to be done outside the classroom ( distinguished from classwork ). a single assignment of such schoolwork: Homeworks are due at the beginning of class. paid work done at home, as piecework. thorough preparatory study of a subject: to do one's homework for the next committee meeting. homework.

  7. homework noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

    Definition of homework noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

  8. HOMEWORK definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

    Homework is school work that teachers give to pupils to do at home in the evening or at the weekend. Have you done your homework, Gemma? 2. uncountable noun. If you do your homework, you find out what you need to know in preparation for something. Before you go near a stockbroker, do your homework. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.

  9. HOMEWORK | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

    noun. uk / ˈhəʊmwɜːk / us. do your homework. Add to word list. to study a subject or situation carefully so that you know a lot about it and can deal with it successfully: The company working on the project had clearly done their homework on universal design issues.

  10. Homework Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    Britannica Dictionary definition of HOMEWORK. [noncount] 1. : work that a student is given to do at home. Please do/finish your homework. She started her algebra homework. — compare classwork. 2. : research or reading done in order to prepare for something — used in the phrase do your homework.