academic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an educator who works at a college or university
    academician; faculty member.
  2. adjective associated with academia or an academy
    • the academic curriculum
    • academic gowns
  3. adjective satellite hypothetical or theoretical and not expected to produce an immediate or practical result
    • an academic discussion
    • an academic question
  4. adjective satellite marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
    pedantic; donnish.

WordNet

Ac`a*dem"ic, Ac`a*dem"ic*al adjective (Also<
  • Academic
  • Academical
)
Etymology
L. academicus: cf. F. académigue. See Academy.
Definitions
  1. Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato; as, the Academic sect or philosophy.
  2. Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; scholarly; literary or classical, in distinction from scientific. "Academic courses." Warburton. "Academical study." Berkeley.
Ac`a*dem"ic noun
Definitions
  1. One holding the philosophy of Socrates and Plato; a Platonist. Hume.
  2. A member of an academy, college, or university; an academician.

Webster 1913