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Definition of doctorate

doctorate

/ˈdɑːk.tɚ.ət/
doc · tor · ate
Plural:doctorates
•
Adjective:doctoral
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doctorate Lexical Profile

doctorate Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The highest academic degree awarded by a university or other authorized educational institution.

Example

"She spent five years conducting laboratory research to earn her doctorate in molecular biology."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for doctorate

Word Nuance & Usage

'Doctorate' is a noun referring to the degree itself (e.g., "She earned a doctorate"), whereas 'doctoral' is the standard adjective used to modify other nouns (e.g., "doctoral research").

• Rhymes for doctorate

• Nearby Words

dockyard
doctor
doctoral
doctorate
doctorfish
doctrinal
doctrine

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 17th century from Medieval Latin doctoratus, from Latin doctor ('teacher'), derived from docere ('to teach').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Doctorate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/doctorate
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