PhD

P-H-D · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Doctor of Philosophy; the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study.

  2. 2.

    A person who holds a doctoral degree.

Forms

plural: PhDs

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    PhD candidate — a student working toward a doctoral degree
  • •
    PhD thesis/dissertation — the written work submitted for a doctoral degree
  • •
    post-PhD — after receiving a doctorate

Related words

See also: degree, dissertation, doctor, thesis
Synonyms: doctoral degree, doctorate

Etymology

Abbreviation of Latin Philosophiae Doctor ("Doctor of Philosophy"), where "philosophy" refers to the original sense of "love of wisdom" encompassing all academic disciplines.