- course
- I UK [kɔː(r)s] / US [kɔrs]
noun [countable]
Word forms "course":
singular course plural courses
***
1) a series of lessons or lectures in an academic subject or a practical skillcourse in:a drama/secretarial/Spanish course
do/take a course:an introductory course in economics
run/offer a course:You could do a language course abroad.
be on a course:The school runs courses for beginners.
She's on a time management course this week.
•
Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with course
▪ correspondence, intensive, introductory, refresher, residential, vocational2)a) the direction that a vehicle, especially a ship or plane, is travelling in or plans to travel inon/off course (= going/not going in the planned direction):The captain had to change course quickly.
The oil tanker veered off course and hit a rock.
b) the direction in which a river flowsSeveral villages along the course of the river were flooded.
3) the things that you choose to do in a particular situationcourse of action:the best/safest etc course is to do something:What course of action do you recommend?
The safest course is to avoid alcohol.
4) the way that things develop over a period of timecourse of events:the course of history:In the normal course of events, he would have left and thought no more about it.
a speech that changed the course of history
5) one of the parts of a mealfirst/main course:three-course/four-course etc meal:I had prawns, followed by steak for my main course.
They do a two-course lunch for £4.99.
6) a medical treatment that someone is given over a period of timecourse of:The treatment involves a course of steroid injections.
7)a) an area of land or water where races take placeThe mountains are the most difficult part of the course.
b) a golf coursean 18-hole course
•in/during/over the course of something
— while something is happening or continuingThe insurance covers you if you are injured in the course of your employment.
During the course of the morning I learned a lot about the project.
run/take its course
— to develop in the usual way and reach a natural endThe doctor said we just had to let the disease run its course.
See:collision, due I, of course
II UK [kɔː(r)s] / US [kɔrs] adverb spokenof course"She's not in love with me." – "Course she is. It's obvious."
III UK [kɔː(r)s] / US [kɔrs] verb
Word forms "course":
present tense I/you/we/they course he/she/it courses present participle coursing past tense coursed past participle coursed1)a) [intransitive] to flow somewhere in large amountsTears coursed down his cheeks.
Fear sends adrenalin coursing through your veins.
b) if an emotion or physical feeling courses through you, you suddenly feel it stronglyAnger coursed through him.
2) [intransitive/transitive] to use dogs to chase rabbits or hares as a sport
English dictionary. 2014.