liberal arts
plural noun
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Why do we call the liberal arts "liberal"?
The liberal in liberal arts is not political. Its roots can be traced to the Latin word liber, meaning “free, unrestricted.” Our language took the term from the Latin liberales artes, which described the education given to members of the upper classes as well as to those with the full rights of a citizen; this education involved training in such subjects as grammar, logic, geometry, etc., as opposed to the education reserved for the lower classes, which involved mechanical or occupational skills. The phrase liberal arts has been part of our language for a very long time, with use dating back to the 14th century.
Examples of liberal arts in a Sentence
Jenna Russell Tristan Spinski, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
The environmental liberal arts institution has been a part of the Ashland community since 1892.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
The private liberal arts school where Samay attended is in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles north of the state's capital, Harrisburg.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Gonzaga University, a private liberal arts school with just over 5,000 undergraduate students, is located in Spokane, Washington.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 28 Mar. 2024
From Wichita Falls to Charlotte Born Nov. 11, 1932 in Chicago, Fox was the first in his family to go to college after winning a football and academic scholarship to Beloit College, a small liberal arts school in Wisconsin.
—Genna Contino, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024
Within five years of graduating from college, theology and religion, performing arts and liberal arts grads—which tied for the top spot of the major which pays the worst after college—earn $38,000 a year on average.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
In November, Barnard College, a private New York City women’s liberal arts college, issued a policy that political statements can’t be posted on official college websites without administrative approval.
—John Woolfolk, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
It’s really laid out like a private, four-year liberal arts college.
—Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liberal arts.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near liberal arts
Cite this Entry
“Liberal arts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberal%20arts. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
liberal arts
noun plural
More from Merriam-Webster on liberal arts
Nglish: Translation of liberal arts for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liberal arts
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