Doctor of Philosophy
noun
Also called doctorate.
the highest degree awarded by a graduate school, usually to a person who has completed at least three years of graduate study and a dissertation approved by a board of professors.
a person who has been awarded this degree. Abbreviation: Ph.D.
British Dictionary definitions for doctor of philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
noun
a doctorate awarded for original research in any subject except law, medicine, or theology
Abbreviation: PhD, DPhil