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course

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noun [countable] British English pronunciation: course /kɔː(r)s/ 
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singularcourse
pluralcourses
 
  1. 1
    a series of lessons or lectures in an academic subject or a practical skill

    a drama/secretarial/Spanish course

    course in:

    an introductory course in economics

    do/take a course:

    You could do a language course abroad.

    run/offer a course:

    The school runs courses for beginners.

    be on a course:

    She’s on a time management course this week.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  courseThesaurus entry for this meaning of course
  2. 2
    the direction that a vehicle, especially a ship or plane, is travelling in or plans to travel in

    The captain had to change course quickly.

    on/off course (=going/not going in the planned direction):

    The oil tanker veered off course and hit a rock.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  courseThesaurus entry for this meaning of course
    1. a.
      the direction in which a river flows

      Several villages along the course of the river were flooded.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  courseThesaurus entry for this meaning of course
  3. 3
    the things that you choose to do in a particular situation
    course of action:

    What course of action do you recommend?

    the best/safest etc course is to do something:

    The safest course is to avoid alcohol.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  courseThesaurus entry for this meaning of course
  4. 4
    the way that things develop over a period of time
    course of events:

    In the normal course of events, he would have left and thought no more about it.

    the course of history:

    a speech that changed the course of history

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  courseThesaurus entry for this meaning of course
  5. 5
    one of the parts of a meal
    first/main course:

    I had prawns, followed by steak for my main course.

    three-course/four-course etc meal:

    They do a two-course lunch for £4.99.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  courseThesaurus entry for this meaning of course
  6. 6
    a medical treatment that someone is given over a period of time
    course of:

    The treatment involves a course of steroid injections.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  courseThesaurus entry for this meaning of course

phrases

This is the British English definition of course. View American English definition of course.

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