course

/kɔːs/ noun

Definition

of course › used to say 'yes' and emphasize your answer: "Can you help me?" "Of course!" › used to show that what you are saying is obvious or already known: The rain meant, of course, that the barbecue was cancelled. Of course, the Olympics are not just about money.

of course not › used to say 'no' and emphasize your answer: "Do you mind if I borrow your pen?" "Of course not."

LESSONS [C] › a series of lessons about a particular subject: She did a ten-week course in computing.

PART OF MEAL [C] › a part of a meal: a three-course dinner

SPORT [C] › an area used for horse races or playing golf: a golf course

MEDICINE [C] mainly UK › a fixed number of regular medical treatments: a course of antibiotics

ROUTE [C, U] › the direction in which a ship, aircraft, etc is moving: During the storm, the boat was blown off course (= in the wrong direction).

ACTION [C] (also course of action) › something that you can do in a particular situation: I think the best course of action would be to write to him.

during/in/over the course of sth › during a particular time or activity: In the course of the interview she mentioned her previous experience.

in due course › at a suitable time in the future: The results will be sent to you in due course.

DEVELOPMENT [no plural] › the way something develops, usually over a long time: Nuclear weapons have changed the course of modern history.

in the course of time UK › gradually, or over a period of time: His English will improve in the course of time.

be on course for sth/to do sth UK › to be very likely to succeed at something

run its course › If something runs its course, it continues naturally until it has finished. → See also be on a collision course → See also crash course → See also be par for the course

(Definition of course noun from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)