Teaching

ˈtiːtʃɪŋ

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
3 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

The profession or activity of instructing people in a subject or skill.

ˈtiːtʃɪŋ

nounneutralBeginner
Action

The act of imparting knowledge or skill.

She has a passion for teaching.

💡 Simply: Teaching is like showing someone how to do something new or helping them understand a subject better. It's what teachers do in classrooms, but you can teach your friend a new video game trick or your little brother how to tie his shoes!

👶 For kids: When you teach, you show someone how to do something or explain something to them.

More Examples

2

The school's focus is on innovative teaching techniques.

3

His teaching helped me understand the complex concepts.

How It's Used

Education

"The school emphasizes effective teaching methods."

Religion

"The sermon focused on the teachings of the prophet."

2

A principle, belief, or doctrine that is taught or advocated.

ˈtiːtʃɪŋ

nounneutralmedium
Concept

A principle or belief taught or advocated.

The teachings of the elders were passed down through generations.

💡 Simply: Teachings are the important ideas or beliefs that someone shares with you. Like, the teachings of your parents about being kind or the teachings in a book about history.

👶 For kids: Teachings are important ideas someone wants you to know or follow.

More Examples

2

His teachings influenced many followers.

3

The core teachings of the religion emphasize compassion.

How It's Used

Philosophy

"The core teachings of Buddhism focus on enlightenment."

Religion

"The teachings of the scriptures are followed by many."

Tip:Think of the *teachings* as the *truths* that guide the actions of those *learning* from them.
3

The action of imparting knowledge or skill (present participle form).

ˈtiːtʃɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
Action

Present participle of teach.

She is teaching a new course this semester.

💡 Simply: It means you are currently in the process of showing someone how to do something or explaining a topic. "I'm teaching my dog a new trick!"

👶 For kids: When you're teaching, you're showing someone how to do something right now.

More Examples

2

He's been teaching at the university for 10 years.

3

The professor is teaching the students about history.

How It's Used

Education

"She is teaching a class on art history."

Informal Conversation

"He's been teaching me how to code."

Tip:It's the *ongoing* process of imparting *knowledge*.

Idioms & expressions

a teaching moment

An opportunity to learn something important, often about life or ethics.

"The child's mistake provided a teaching moment for the parent."

From Middle English *techen, techene* ("to teach"), from Old English *tǣcan* ("to teach, show, demonstrate"), from Proto-Germanic *taikijaną* ("to show, point out"), from Proto-Indo-European *deyk-* ("to show, point out, teach").

The word 'teaching' has been used since Middle English, initially referring to imparting knowledge or instruction.

Memory tip

Think of 'teaching' as the *action* of helping others *reach* their potential through learning.

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"to show, point out, teach"

effective teachinginnovative teachingquality teachingteaching methodsteaching experience

Common misspellings

teechingteching

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written