schema

schema — noun

1. A simple drawing, diagram, or chart that shows the main parts of a system, theor

1.nounB2
Definition

A simple drawing, diagram, or chart that shows the main parts of a system, theory, or plan and how those parts relate to each other.

Example

The architect drew a <hl>schema</hl> of the building's electrical system.

schema + of + [technical system]

Lucía's textbook shows a <hl>schema</hl> of the solar system with labelled orbits.

schema showing labelled spatial relationships

Common collocations
  • conceptual schema
  • database schema
  • logical schema
  • design schema
  • draw a schema
  • present a schema
  • schema diagram
Synonyms
  • diagram

    more general; a diagram can be any explanatory drawing, while a schema emphasises abstract relationships

  • outline

    focuses on the main shape or structure without visual detail; an outline is text-based, a schema is typically visual

  • schematic

    often used in engineering; a schematic is a specific type of schema using standardised symbols (e.g. circuit schematic)

Grammar Patterns

schema + of + [thing being shown]

[adjective] + schema

Common Mistakes

Please draw a schema of the house layout.
Please draw a sketch of the house layout.
Use 'sketch' or 'diagram' for simple informal drawings; 'schema' suggests a more systematic, abstract representation of relationships.

2. In psychology and cognitive science, a mental structure stored in the mind that

2.nounC1
Definition

In psychology and cognitive science, a mental structure stored in the mind that organises past experience and helps a person interpret new situations, solve problems, and respond to the world around them.

Example

Children build a mental <hl>schema</hl> for 'dog' by seeing several dogs.

mental schema + for + [concept] — formed through repeated experience

Professor Adisa says cultural <hl>schema</hl> shapes how we interpret gestures.

cultural schema — psychology domain collocation

Common collocations
  • cognitive schema
  • cultural schema
  • mental schema
  • existing schema
  • underlying schema
  • schema theory
  • activate a schema
  • revise a schema
  • schema formation
Synonyms
  • mental model

    more general and used outside psychology; a mental model is what a person believes about how something works, while a schema is a broader organising structure

  • cognitive framework

    slightly more formal; emphasises the organising function of the schema

  • knowledge structure

    descriptive term used in education research; less technical than 'schema'

Grammar Patterns

schema + for + [experience/behaviour]

[adjective] + schema

schema + of + [the world/knowledge]

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used in academic writing about psychology, education, or cognitive science. In formal academic English, the Greek plural 'schemata' (/ˈskiːmətə/) is sometimes preferred over 'schemas', though both are accepted. The psychologist Jean Piaget introduced the term in his theory of cognitive development.

Common Mistakes

His wrong schema caused him to fail the test.
His existing schema for the topic was incomplete, so he struggled to understand the new material.
A schema is not 'right' or 'wrong'; it is a mental framework that may be underdeveloped, incomplete, or inaccurate.

Word family

  • schematic
    adjectiveB2
  • schematically
    adverbC1
  • schematize
    verbC1
  • schematization
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A schema is an abstract representation that shows how parts of a system or idea relate to one another. A diagram is the broadest term — any explanatory drawing qualifies, whether or not it shows abstract relationships. A schematic is a specialised type of diagram that uses standard symbols (common in electronics and engineering); it is more technical than 'schema'. An outline is text-based and lists main points in a structured way, whereas a schema is typically visual. A chart presents data or information in a graphical format (bar chart, flow chart) and often includes numbers or categories. For everyday use, 'diagram' is safest; for technical writing about systems or databases, 'schema' is precise; for engineering drawings, use 'schematic'.

diagram ↗schematicoutline ↗chart ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • schema theory
  • schema formation
  • schema change

Adverbs

  • mentally (schema)
  • conceptually (schema)

Phrases

  • draw up a schema
  • develop a schema
  • fit into a schema

Prepositions

  • schema for
  • schema of

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

The word 'schema' was borrowed directly from the Greek 'skhēma' (σχῆμα), meaning 'form, shape, figure, outline'. It entered English in the 18th century through Latin and was first used in philosophy and logic to mean 'a general outline or plan'. The psychologist Jean Piaget revived it in the 20th century as a technical term in his theory of cognitive development, giving it the modern psychology sense.