Education is the process of teaching and learning, especially in schools, colleges, and universities; also the knowledge and skills that a person gains through this process.
What Does Education Mean?
Education comes from the Latin educatio, from educare meaning "to bring up, rear, or train". The root educere — "to lead out" — suggests the original sense of drawing out a person's potential rather than simply pouring in information. The word entered English in the early 16th century via Old French education.
In everyday English, education is used in two main ways. First, it describes the organised system or process of instruction: "She works in education." Second, it refers to the body of knowledge and skills that result from that process: "He has a strong education in science." Understanding both senses will help you use the word naturally in speaking, writing, and reading.
Note that education is broader than schooling (formal attendance at school) and more formal than learning (which can happen anywhere). Compare also training, which focuses on a specific job-related skill, and upbringing, which refers to the values and manners instilled in childhood.
Example Sentences by CEFR Level
| Sentence | Level |
|---|---|
| My sister goes to school. She says education is very important. | A2 |
| She believes that a good education includes learning at least one foreign language. | B1 |
| Access to quality education is still unequal in many parts of the world. | B1 |
| The government has invested heavily in early childhood education to reduce long-term inequality. | B2 |
| Critics argue that the current education system prioritises standardised testing at the expense of creativity and independent thought. | C1 |
Collocations
Learning which words naturally go with education will make your English sound much more fluent. Here are the most common collocations:
| Collocation | Meaning / Example |
|---|---|
| higher education | university-level study — She went on to higher education after school. |
| primary / secondary education | the first / second stage of formal schooling — All children have a right to primary education. |
| further education | post-16 courses below degree level — He studied computing at a further education college. |
| vocational education | training for a specific job or trade — Vocational education is increasingly valued by employers. |
| early childhood education | learning and development for young children — Investment in early childhood education pays off long-term. |
| receive an education | to go through the process of being educated — Every child deserves to receive a good education. |
| education system | the organised structure of schools and learning — The education system needs urgent reform. |
| value education | to regard learning as important — Families that value education tend to encourage reading at home. |
| adult education | learning programmes for grown-ups — She returned to adult education at the age of 45. |
| physical education (PE) | school lessons involving sport and exercise — Physical education is a compulsory subject up to the age of 16. |
Usage Notes
How to Use Education Correctly
- Uncountable (general): Education is usually uncountable when referring to the concept in general: "Education matters more than ever." Do not use an article in this sense.
- Countable (a specific experience): Use the indefinite article when referring to a particular type or standard of education: "She received an excellent education at her local school."
- In education: The phrase in education means working in the teaching profession or enrolled as a student: "He has spent thirty years in education."
- Word family: educate (verb), educated (adjective), educator (noun), educational (adjective), educationally (adverb).
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She has a lot of educations in science. (education is uncountable; no plural)
She has a strong education in science.
I want to make my education at a British university.
I want to receive / get / complete my education at a British university. (use receive, get, complete — not make)
He graduated from education. (you graduate from a university, not from education)
He graduated from university. / He completed his education.