course

Pluralcourses

Formscourses, coursing, coursed

1. 1
   nouncountable

   The way that events develop or happen over time, one after another.

   Like the steps of a story, one happening after another.

   The course of the war changed after that single battle.

   Over the course of a year, the town slowly recovered.

   UsageSay over the course of a year, meaning during it.

   Similarpath, direction, progress, development, trajectory

   Note
2. 2
   definitelyadverbcolloquialabbreviationellipsis

   Clipped form of 'of course', used in casual speech to mean 'certainly' or simply 'yes'.

   Course I'll come to the party, I wouldn't miss it.

   "Can I borrow your pen?" "Course, here you go."

   UsageOften comes first: Course I will! In formal writing, use of course.

   Similarsure, naturally, obviously, certainly

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A set of classes on a subject, or a program at college or university that leads to a qualification.

   Like a set of lessons that build on each other, one after another.

   She signed up for a Spanish course at the local college.

   The course covers basic computer skills over eight weeks.

   UsageSay take a course or do a course in a subject.

   Similarclass, program

   Note
4. 4
   golf groundsnouncountable

   A large area of land where people play golf, with holes and grass.

   Like a big park made just for playing golf.

   The course had eighteen holes and lots of sand traps.

   We rented a cart to ride around the course while playing golf.

   UsageGolfers say on the course.

   Similarlinks

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable

   The way or direction that someone or something moves, like a ship, a ball or a river.

   Like the line you walk when going from one place to another.

   The river changes course after heavy spring rains.

   We followed the same course back to the campsite.

   UsageSay a ship is on course or off course.

   Similarroute, path, direction, way, track

6. 6
   plan of actionnouncountable

   A planned way of doing something that you decide to follow.

   Like choosing one road to take when you have many to pick from.

   The safest course is to wait until morning.

   They chose a bold course and opened a second store.

   UsageSay course of action for a plan.

   Similarapproach, plan, strategy, policy, tack

7. 7
   meal partnouncountable

   One part of a meal that is served on its own before the next part.

   Like one chapter of a big meal, eaten one piece at a time.

   The soup was the first course of the dinner.

   We were too full to finish the last course.

   UsageSay first course or main course.

   Similardish

   Note
8. 8
   nouncountable

   A path or area marked out for a race or sport.

   Like the set path a race follows from the start line to the end.

   The marathon course wound through five neighborhoods before the finish.

   Runners studied the course map before the race began.

   Similarroute, track, circuit

9. 9
   treatment plannouncountable

   A set of medical treatments given over a period to help someone get better.

   Like a set of steps you must finish to fix a problem.

   The doctor put her on a course of antibiotics.

   He finished his course of physical therapy last month.

   UsageSay a course of antibiotics, and finish it.

   Similarregimen, cycle, series

   Note

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