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Definition of homework

Examples of homework in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homework.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Oct. 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.

Cambridge Dictionary

  • Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Definition of homework – Learner’s Dictionary

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  • Go upstairs and do your homework.
  • For your homework, please do exercise 3 on page 24.
  • When I finish my homework, can I watch TV?
  • Get on with your homework.
  • She was trying to duck out of doing her homework.

(Definition of homework from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of homework

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moving images created from drawings, models, etc. that are photographed or created by a computer

Cooking or hitting the books? (Idioms with ‘book’)

Cooking or hitting the books? (Idioms with ‘book’)

the definition to homework

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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

Take your English to the next level

The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app

the definition to homework

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.

  2. HOMEWORK | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

    A1. work that teachers give their students to do at home: do your homework You can't watch TV until you've done your homework. history / geography homework. Fewer examples. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. HOMEWORK | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

    A1. work that teachers give their students to do at home: do your homework You can't watch TV until you've done your homework. history / geography homework. Fewer examples. 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.

  6. Homework - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

    Any assignment you're expected to complete after school and bring back to class the next day is called homework. Many students make up excuses for not having their homework done. The "My dog ate my homework " excuse doesn't work so well in the digital age.

  7. HOMEWORK | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

    HOMEWORK meaning: 1. work that teachers give students to do at home: 2. to prepare carefully for a situation: . Learn more.

  8. 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.

  9. Homework - definition of homework by The Free Dictionary

    Define homework. homework synonyms, homework pronunciation, homework translation, English dictionary definition of homework. n. 1. Work, such as schoolwork or piecework, that is done at home. 2. Preparatory or preliminary work: did their homework before coming to the meeting....

  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.