English Dictionary

Definition of “thesis

thesis (ˈθiːsɪsPronunciation for thesis

Definitions

noun

  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. (in classical prosody) the syllable or part of a metrical foot not receiving the ictus Compare arsis
  7. philosophy the first stage in the Hegelian dialectic, that is challenged by the antithesis

Word Origin

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: a placing, from tithenai to place

Usage examples

  • Meanwhile the first eager American came over to Britain to write a thesis on her work.
    Ian St James Awards, At the Stroke of Twelve (1989)
  • Putnam's thesis , which has found many followers, is that our social fabric is being eroded by destructive market forces.
    Spiked (2003)
  • And conversations with players past and present in the industry confirm that their general thesis is fairly well known.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • In support of his thesis , Dr Carey could also cite the latest figures for religious activities in the United Kingdom.
    Independent (1999)
  • I had decided to write my doctoral thesis on Tennyson's poetic style.
    Karen Armstrong, THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (2004)

Browse dictionary