'academy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'Akadēmía', where 'Akadēmos' was a hero after whom Plato's school was named.

'Akadēmía' transformed into the Latin word 'academia', and eventually became the modern English word 'academy'.

Initially, it referred to a place of study or training in a special field, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.