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a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections: He vigorously defended his thesis on the causes of war.
a subject for a composition or essay.
a dissertation on a particular subject in which one has done original research, as one presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree.
Music . the downward stroke in conducting; downbeat. : Compare arsis (def. 1) .
a part of a metrical foot that does not bear the ictus or stress.
(less commonly) the part of a metrical foot that bears the ictus. : Compare arsis (def. 2) .
Philosophy . See under Hegelian dialectic .
Origin of thesis
Word story for thesis, other words for thesis, words that may be confused with thesis.
- 1. antithesis , synthesis , thesis
- 2. dissertation , thesis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use thesis in a sentence
We have already seen (p. xxi) that this was one of the important theses of the Muʿtazilite Kalam.
In 1597 he maintained public theses in Mathematics, Philosophy, and Law with the highest applause.
The theses on indulgences having brought him to the knowledge of the truth, he had forthwith made a bold profession of the faith.
He went to Wittenberg, in his innocence, intending to tack on the church-door there his theses.
I think it in very bad taste, always impertinent, and often pedantic, to attempt to prove theses by writing stories.
British Dictionary definitions for thesis
/ ( ˈθiːsɪs ) /
a dissertation resulting from original research, esp when submitted by a candidate for a degree or diploma
a doctrine maintained or promoted in argument
a subject for a discussion or essay
an unproved statement, esp one put forward as a premise in an argument
music the downbeat of a bar, as indicated in conducting
(in classical prosody) the syllable or part of a metrical foot not receiving the ictus : Compare arsis
philosophy the first stage in the Hegelian dialectic, that is challenged by the antithesis
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for thesis
The central idea in a piece of writing, sometimes contained in a topic sentence .
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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the•sis
- assiduously
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- developable
- dialectical
- dialectically
- thermotropic
- thermotropism
- Thermovoltaic
- Theromorpha
- theropod dinosaur
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- Theta function
- theta rhythm
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- these unmitigated disaster
- these ups and downs
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- these white lies
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Definition of thesis noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
- Students must submit a thesis on an agreed subject within four years.
- He presented this thesis for his PhD.
- a thesis for a master's degree
- He's doing a doctoral thesis on the early works of Shostakovich.
- Many departments require their students to do a thesis defense.
- She completed an MSc by thesis.
- her thesis adviser at MIT
- in a/the thesis
- thesis about
Join our community to access the latest language learning and assessment tips from Oxford University Press!
- The basic thesis of the book is fairly simple.
- These latest findings support the thesis that sexuality is determined by nature rather than choice.
- formulate/advance a theory/hypothesis
- build/construct/create/develop a simple/theoretical/mathematical model
- develop/establish/provide/use a theoretical/conceptual framework
- advance/argue/develop the thesis that…
- explore an idea/a concept/a hypothesis
- make a prediction/an inference
- base a prediction/your calculations on something
- investigate/evaluate/accept/challenge/reject a theory/hypothesis/model
- design an experiment/a questionnaire/a study/a test
- do research/an experiment/an analysis
- make observations/measurements/calculations
- carry out/conduct/perform an experiment/a test/a longitudinal study/observations/clinical trials
- run an experiment/a simulation/clinical trials
- repeat an experiment/a test/an analysis
- replicate a study/the results/the findings
- observe/study/examine/investigate/assess a pattern/a process/a behaviour
- fund/support the research/project/study
- seek/provide/get/secure funding for research
- collect/gather/extract data/information
- yield data/evidence/similar findings/the same results
- analyse/examine the data/soil samples/a specimen
- consider/compare/interpret the results/findings
- fit the data/model
- confirm/support/verify a prediction/a hypothesis/the results/the findings
- prove a conjecture/hypothesis/theorem
- draw/make/reach the same conclusions
- read/review the records/literature
- describe/report an experiment/a study
- present/publish/summarize the results/findings
- present/publish/read/review/cite a paper in a scientific journal
- The results of the experiment support his central thesis.
- Most people rejected this thesis at the time because it presumed evolution rather than creation.
- fundamental
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thesis noun
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What does the noun thesis mean?
There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun thesis . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
thesis has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How common is the noun thesis ?
How is the noun thesis pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun thesis come from.
Earliest known use
Middle English
The earliest known use of the noun thesis is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
OED's earliest evidence for thesis is from before 1398, in the writing of John Trevisa, translator.
thesis is a borrowing from Greek.
Etymons: Greek θέσις .
In other dictionaries
- thē̆sis, n. in Middle English Dictionary
Nearby entries
- thesaurus, n. 1823–
- thesaury, n. a1639–1708
- these, n. a1600–48
- these, pron. & adj. Old English–
- Thesean, adj. 1815–
- Theseid, n. 1725–
- Theseium, n. 1819–
- these-like, adj. 1644–
- thesial, adj. 1654
- thesicle, n. 1863–
- thesis, n. a1398–
- thesis-novel, n. 1934–
- thesis-play, n. 1902–
- thesmophilist, n. 1644–
- Thesmophorian, adj. 1891–
- Thesmophoric, adj. 1788–
- thesmothete, n. 1603–
- thesocyte, n. 1887–
- thesp, n. 1962–
- Thespian, adj. & n. 1675–
- Thespianism, n. 1914–
Meaning & use
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Pronunciation
Compounds & derived words, entry history for thesis, n..
thesis, n. was first published in 1912; not yet revised
thesis, n. was last modified in September 2023
Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:
- corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
- new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into thesis, n. in September 2023.
Earlier versions of thesis, n. were published in:
OED First Edition (1912)
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OED Second Edition (1989)
- View thesis, n. in Second Edition
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Citation details
Factsheet for thesis, n., browse entry.
Synonyms of thesis
- as in argument
- as in hypothesis
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Thesaurus Definition of thesis
Synonyms & Similar Words
- proposition
- speculation
- explanation
- presupposition
- supposition
- generalization
- presumption
- abstraction
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Thesaurus Entries Near thesis
Cite this entry.
“Thesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thesis. Accessed 24 Nov. 2023.
More from Merriam-Webster on thesis
Nglish: Translation of thesis for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of thesis for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thesis
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Definition of thesis – Learner’s Dictionary
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thesis noun [C] ( WRITING )
Thesis noun [c] ( idea ), translations of thesis.
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A stuffed animal or bird is filled with special material so that it keeps the shape it had when it was alive.
I feel it in my bones: phrases connected with believing or disbelieving
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Definition of 'thesis' Word Frequency thesis (θiːsɪs ) Word forms: plural theses (θiːsiːz ) 1. countable noun A thesis is an idea or theory that is expressed as a statement and is discussed in a logical way. This thesis does not stand up to close inspection. ...the thesis that computers can be programmed to do anything a human mind does.
1. a dissertation resulting from original research, esp when submitted by a candidate for a degree or diploma 2. a doctrine maintained or promoted in argument 3. a subject for a discussion or essay 4. an unproved statement, esp one put forward as a premise in an argument 5. music the downbeat of a bar, as indicated in conducting 6.
noun the· sis ˈthē-səs British especially for sense 3 ˈthe-sis plural theses ˈthē-ˌsēz Synonyms of thesis 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
(ˌpiːˌeɪtʃˈdiː ˈθiːsɪs ) noun a research thesis written and submitted by a student wishing to be awarded a PhD Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Trends of PhD thesis View usage for: Browse alphabetically PhD thesis PHC PhD PhD student PhD thesis Phe pheasant pheasant coucal All ENGLISH words that begin with 'P' Source
noun,plural the·ses [thee-seez]. a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections: He vigorously defended his thesis on the causes of war. a subject for a composition or essay.
Definition of 'thesis' thesis (θiːsɪs ) (θiːsiːz ) countable noun A thesis is an idea or theory that is expressed as a statement and is discussed in a logical way. [...] See full entry for 'thesis' Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Example sentences central thesis
Thesis definition, a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections: He vigorously defended his thesis on the causes of war. See more.
thesis: 1 n an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument Type of: assumption , premise , premiss a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn n a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree Synonyms: dissertation Type ...
a piece of writing involving original study of a subject, esp. for a college or university degree: a master's thesis A thesis is also the main idea, opinion, or theory of a speaker or writer, who then attempts to prove it: His thesis was that World War I could have been avoided.
1. A proposition that is maintained by argument. 2. A dissertation advancing an original point of view as a result of research, especially as a requirement for an academic degree. 3. A hypothetical proposition, especially one put forth without proof. 4. The first stage of the Hegelian dialectic process. 5. a.
a piece of writing involving original study of a subject, esp. for a college or university degree: a master's thesis A thesis is also the main idea, opinion, or theory of a speaker or writer, who then attempts to prove it: His thesis was that World War I could have been avoided.
thesis - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.
thesis (that…) a statement or an opinion that is discussed in a logical way and presented with evidence in order to prove that it is true. The basic thesis of the book is fairly simple. These latest findings support the thesis that sexuality is determined by nature rather than choice.
THESS-iss U.S. English /ˈθisᵻs/ THEE-suhss See pronunciation Where does the noun thesis come from? Earliest known use Middle English The earliest known use of the noun thesis is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for thesis is from before 1398, in the writing of John Trevisa, translator.
1. : a long piece of writing on a particular subject that is done to earn a degree at a university. She wrote her thesis on Renaissance Nativity scenes. a master's/doctoral thesis on the effects of global warming. 2. formal : a statement that someone wants to discuss or prove. New evidence supports his thesis. We disagreed with the basic thesis ...
a long piece of writing that you do as part of an advanced university course: a master's/ PhD thesis thesis noun [C] (IDEA) a theory that is suggested and can then be argued with or agreed with: That is the central thesis of the book. (Definition of thesis from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of thesis
Thesis definition: A proposition that is maintained by argument. Dictionary Thesaurus Sentences Grammar ... Words Near Thesis in the Dictionary the shirt off one's back; the shits; the shoemaker's children go barefoot; the show must go on; the sky is the limit;
Synonyms for THESIS: argument, contention, assertion, hypothesis, theory, guess, assumption, hunch; Antonyms of THESIS: fact, knowledge, assurance, certainty
thesis translation in English - English Reverso dictionary, see also 'testis, these, thespian, thinness', examples, definition, conjugation
1. countable noun A thesis is an idea or theory that is expressed as a statement and is discussed in a logical way. This thesis does not stand up to close inspection. Synonyms: proposition, theory, hypothesis, idea More Synonyms of thesis 2. countable noun ... PhD thesis definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary English Dictionary Grammar Definition of 'PhD ...
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thesis meaning: 1. a long piece of writing that you do as part of an advanced university course: 2. a theory that…. Learn more.