coeducation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “coeducation” mean?
The education of male and female students together in the same institution or classes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The education of male and female students together in the same institution or classes.
The principle or practice of providing integrated educational environments for all genders, often associated with social reform, gender equality, and the dismantling of segregated educational systems.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral/conceptual in both varieties. May carry historical connotations of progressive reform.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, reflecting historical discourse around public school integration.
Grammar
How to Use “coeducation” in a Sentence
The [noun] of coeducationCoeducation in [place/institution]A shift/policy/move towards coeducationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coeducation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The school plans to coeducate from next autumn.
- They decided to coeducate the sixth form.
American English
- The district voted to coeducate the high school.
- The academy began to coeducate its freshman class.
adverb
British English
- [Rarely used as a standalone adverb]
American English
- [Rarely used as a standalone adverb]
adjective
British English
- It is a coeducational establishment.
- The coeducational model is now the norm.
American English
- She attended a coeducational high school.
- They championed coeducational policies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used.
Academic
Common in history of education, sociology, and gender studies papers.
Everyday
Used in discussions about school choices or historical changes in education.
Technical
Standard term in educational policy and administration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coeducation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coeducation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coeducation”
- Misspelling as 'co-education' (hyphen is often omitted in modern usage).
- Using it as an adjective (use 'coeducational' instead).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while widespread adoption is largely a 20th-century phenomenon, the term and practice have existed since at least the 19th century, often linked to progressive educational movements.
Yes, it applies to all levels of education, from primary schools to universities.
'Coeducation' is the formal noun for the system. 'Coed' is an informal, chiefly North American term that can be a noun (referring to a female student at a coeducational institution, now often dated) or an adjective meaning 'coeducational'.
The hyphenated form 'co-education' is an older variant. In contemporary English, the closed form 'coeducation' is standard, though the hyphen may occasionally be seen.
The education of male and female students together in the same institution or classes.
Coeducation is usually formal, academic in register.
Coeducation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊˌedʒʊˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊˌɛdʒəˈkeɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'CO-EDUCATION' = 'COmbined EDUCATION' for all genders.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A SHARED SPACE (breaking down walls/separation).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'coeducation'?