thesis

noun

the·​sis ˈthē-səs How to pronounce thesis (audio)
 British especially for sense 3  ˈthe-sis
plural theses ˈthē-ˌsēz How to pronounce thesis (audio)
1
: a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view
especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree
2
a
: a proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof : hypothesis
b
: a position or proposition that a person (such as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers to maintain by argument
3
a(1)
: the unstressed part of a poetic foot especially in accentual verse
(2)
: the longer part of a poetic foot especially in quantitative verse
b
: the accented part of a musical measure : downbeat compare arsis
4
: the first and least adequate stage of dialectic compare synthesis

Did you know?

In high school, college, or graduate school, students often have to write a thesis on a topic in their major field of study. In many fields, a final thesis is the biggest challenge involved in getting a master's degree, and the same is true for students studying for a Ph.D. (a Ph.D. thesis is often called a dissertation). But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove them.

Examples of thesis in a Sentence

She wrote her thesis on Renaissance Nativity scenes. a master's thesis on the effects of global warming New evidence supports his thesis. We disagreed with the basic thesis of the report. The book's central thesis is that propaganda influences the masses in important ways.
Recent Examples on the Web The latest futures betting shows an almost unanimous rejection of the March reduction thesis, and now 52% expect the rate lowering will begin in June. Larry Light, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 For Weli, one of his most meaningful breakthroughs was with his grandmother, who didn’t quite understand his thesis until recently. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 The thesis statement could have been more specific, resulting in a slight deduction. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 He’s long been interested in how racial groups scramble into elite clubs, writing his Harvard thesis about the experience of Asians and Jews trying to get into the Ivy League. Elizabeth Dwoskin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2024 Comments from Stanley Kubrick revealing his inspiration for the film — the threat of nuclear destruction was just too insane to present as anything but a comedy — could also serve as a thesis statement for the entire genre. Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2024 Suddenly not just a means to dance, the song's thesis becomes about cosmic connection, and holding onto someone else when the world spins into chaos. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 Making a show in 2024 whose fundamental thesis is that autocracies are bad for everyone but the autocrats, and sometimes their friends, doesn’t exactly feel like a fresh or bold statement. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 2024 The thesis of Rachel Slade’s new book isn’t exactly subtle — American manufacturing is in trouble. Colin Grabow, National Review, 26 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

in sense 3, Middle English, lowering of the voice, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down — more at do

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of thesis was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Thesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thesis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

thesis

noun
the·​sis ˈthē-səs How to pronounce thesis (audio)
plural theses ˈthē-ˌsēz How to pronounce thesis (audio)
1
: a statement put forth for discussion or proof : hypothesis
2
: a long essay presenting the results of original research

More from Merriam-Webster on thesis

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