college

[ kol-ij ]

noun

1. an institution of higher learning, especially one providing a general or liberal arts education rather than technical or professional training. Compare university.
2. a constituent unit of a university, furnishing courses of instruction in the liberal arts and sciences, usually leading to a bachelor's degree.
3. an institution for vocational, technical, or professional instruction, as in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, or music, often a part of a university.
4. an endowed, self-governing association of scholars incorporated within a university, as at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in England.
5. a similar corporation outside a university.
6. the building or buildings occupied by an institution of higher education.
7. the administrators, faculty, and students of a college.
8. (in Britain and Canada) a private secondary school.
9. an organized association of persons having certain powers and rights, and performing certain duties or engaged in a particular pursuit:

   The Electoral College formally selects the president.

10. a company; assemblage.
11. Also called collegium. a body of clergy living together on a foundation for religious service or similar activity.
12. British Slang. a prison.

college

/ ˈkɒlɪdʒ /

noun

1. an institution of higher education; part of a university
2. a school or an institution providing specialized courses or teaching

   a college of music

3. the building or buildings in which a college is housed
4. the staff and students of a college
5. an organized body of persons with specific rights and duties See also Sacred College

   an electoral college

6. a body of clerics living in community and supported by endowment
7. an obsolete slang word for prison

Other Words From

• post·college noun adjective
• pre·college noun adjective
• subcollege noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of college¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Middle French, from Latin collēgium, from col- col- ¹ + lēg-, variant stem of legere “to choose, gather, read” + -ium -ium; colleague

Word History and Origins

Origin of college¹

C14: from Latin collēgium company, society, band of associates, from collēga; see colleague

Example Sentences

I get to spend a lot of time in schools and colleges and talking to young people who are new voters and so many of them are just growing up jaded with the system.

From Salon

For many 20-somethings returning home from college, that Wednesday is typically an excuse to party, run into familiar faces and see what everyone’s been up to.

From Los Angeles Times

The challenges, Carroll noted, might come off the field because nearly all NFL coaches start families as college or pro assistants, before they ascend to the top job.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris actually outperformed Biden among whites — both those with and without college degrees.

From Salon

Harris lost both the electoral college and popular vote outright, and that is unlikely to change as the vote tallies finalize.

From Salon