Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of PhD noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

PhD

noun (also Ph.D. especially in North American English)
phd pronunciation English ˌpiː eɪtʃ ˈdiː phd pronunciation American ˌpiː eɪtʃ ˈdiː
 
the abbreviation for ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ (a university degree of a very high level that is given to somebody who has done research in a particular subject)
to be/have/do a PhDAnne Thomas, PhD
Usage notesUsage note: EducationLearningacquire/get/lack (an) education/training/(British English) (some) qualificationsreceive/provide somebody with training/tuitiondevelop/design/plan a curriculum/(especially British English) course/(North American English) program/syllabusgive/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminarhold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshopsign up for/take a course/classes/lessonsSchoolgo to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery schoolbe in the first, second, etc. (North American English) grade/(especially British English) year (at school)study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.(British English) leave/finish/drop out of/(North American English) quit school(North American English) graduate high school/collegeProblems at schoolbe the victim/target of bullying(British English) play truant from/(both British English, informal) bunk off/skive off school (= not go to school when you should)(both especially North American English) skip/cut class/school(British English) cheat in/(North American English) cheat on an exam/a testget/be given a detention (for doing something)be expelled from/be suspended from schoolWork and examsdo your homework/(British English) revision/a project on somethingwork on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/(North American English) a paperfinish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies/courseworkhand in/(North American English) turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paperstudy/prepare/(British English) revise/(North American English) review/(North American English, informal) cram for a test/an examtake/(both British English) do/sit a test/an exam(especially British English) mark/(especially North American English) grade homework/a test(British English) do well in/(North American English) do well on/(informal, especially North American English) ace a test/an exampass/fail/(informal, especially North American English) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subjectUniversityapply to/get into/go to/start college/(British English) universityleave/graduate from law school/college/(British English) university (with a degree in computer science)study for/take/(British English) do/complete a law degree/a degree in physics(both North American English) major/minor in biology/philosophyearn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master's degree/a bachelor's degree/a PhD in economics