n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a place of study or training in a special field (military academy; academy of dance). b hist. a place of study. 2 (usu. Academy) a society or institution of distinguished scholars, artists, scientists, etc. (Royal Academy). 3 Sc. a secondary school. 4 a Plato's followers or philosophical system. b the garden near Athens where Plato taught.
[ F académie or L academia f. Gk akademeia f. Akademos the hero after whom Plato's garden was named ]