Meaning & use
schema
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Meanings
nouncountable
An organized plan or diagram that shows how information or parts are arranged.
Grammar: Countable; use 'a schema' for one, 'schemas' or 'schemata' for more than one.
Patterns
- a schema for something
- design a schema
- follow a schema
The teacher drew a schema on the board to show how the essay should be structured.
We need a clear schema for organizing all these customer records.
The book includes a schema of the main events in the war.
nouncountabletechnical
In psychology, a mental structure or pattern of thought that helps a person understand and respond to the world.
Grammar: Countable; often used in academic writing about how the mind works.
Patterns
- a mental schema
- develop a schema
- a schema of something
Children build a schema of what a dog is from the dogs they meet.
Psychologists study how early experiences shape our schemas.
His schema of authority was formed in childhood.
nouncountablecomputing
In computing, a formal description of the structure of a database, showing tables, fields, and relationships.
Grammar: Countable; common in technical contexts about databases.
Patterns
- database schema
- design a schema
- the schema defines something
The database schema lists every table and column.
Changing the schema can break existing queries.
She reviewed the schema before adding new fields.
Word forms
| plural | schemas |
|---|---|
| plural (formal) | schemata |
Common combinations
- mental schema
- Our mental schema helps us recognize familiar faces quickly.
- database schema
- The database schema must be updated before the new feature works.
- design a schema
- The team designed a schema to organize the research data.
- schema for
- We need a schema for classifying these documents.
Synonyms and how they differ
- framework
- Framework is a broader word for a supporting structure; a schema is more specific and often shows relationships between parts.
- outline
- An outline is a simple list of main points; a schema is usually more detailed and structured.
- model
- A model can be a physical or theoretical representation; a schema is typically a plan or mental pattern.
Word family
- schematic adjective
- Showing the main parts in a simple diagram-like way.
- schematically adverb
- In a simplified, diagram-like manner.
- schematize verb
- To arrange or represent something according to a plan or system.
Commonly confused: schema or scheme?
schema vs scheme
A scheme is a plan, often secret or dishonest; a schema is a structured framework, especially in technical or academic use.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'schema' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A schema is a structured plan or framework, so 'developed a schema to organize' fits. The other options misuse the word: buildings are not schemas, 'schemaed' is not a verb form, and schemas are not edible.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “schema”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.