docent
noun
do·cent
ˈdō-sᵊnt 
dō(t)-ˈsent
dō(t)-ˈsent
1
: a college or university teacher or lecturer
2
: a person who leads guided tours especially through a museum or art gallery
Did you know?
The title of docent is used in many countries for what Americans would call an associate professor—that is, a college or university teacher who has been given tenure but hasn't yet achieved the rank of full professor. But in the U.S. a docent is a guide who works at a museum, a historical site, or even a zoo or a park. Docents are usually volunteers, and their services are often free of charge.
Examples of docent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Del Cerro resident spent her childhood in Coronado and works with the Coronado Historical Association as a docent.
—
Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025
Junior rangers: Kids ages 6 to 10 years old can earn a Nature Ranger certificate after following a series of activities led by docents from 9 to 11 a.m.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025
In another Seal Society educational activity, docents spent several hours Feb. 23 with 10 Girl Scouts ages 8-11 and their leaders.
—Carol Archibald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Art docent Izzy Delling will lead the hands-on workshop; supplies will be provided.
—Debby Rice, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for docent
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Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2025
Junior rangers: Kids ages 6 to 10 years old can earn a Nature Ranger certificate after following a series of activities led by docents from 9 to 11 a.m.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025
In another Seal Society educational activity, docents spent several hours Feb. 23 with 10 Girl Scouts ages 8-11 and their leaders.
—Carol Archibald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Art docent Izzy Delling will lead the hands-on workshop; supplies will be provided.
—Debby Rice, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for docent
Cite this Entry
“Docent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/docent. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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