accommodation

[ uh-kom-uh-dey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of accommodating ( def ); state or process of being accommodated ( def ); adaptation.
2. adjustment of differences; reconciliation.
3. Sociology. a process of mutual adaptation between persons or groups, usually achieved by eliminating or reducing hostility, as by compromise or arbitration.
4. anything that supplies a need, want, favor, convenience, etc.
5. Usually accommodations.
   1. lodging.
   2. food and lodging.
   3. a seat, berth, or other facilities for a passenger on a train, plane, etc.
6. readiness to aid or please others; obligingness.
7. a loan.
8. Ophthalmology. the automatic adjustment by which the eye adapts itself to distinct vision at different distances.
9. accommodation bill.

accommodation

/ əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. lodging or board and lodging
2. adjustment, as of differences or to new circumstances; adaptation, settlement, or reconciliation
3. something fulfilling a need, want, etc; convenience or facility
4. physiol the automatic or voluntary adjustment of the shape of the lens of the eye for far or near vision
5. willingness to help or oblige
6. commerce a loan, usually made as an act of favour by a bank before formal credit arrangements are agreed

accommodation

/ ə-kŏm′ə-dā′shən /

1. The adjustment in the focal length of the lens of the eye. Accommodation permits images at different distances to be focused on the retina.

Other Words From

• ac·commo·dation·al adjective
• nonac·commo·dation noun
• preac·commo·dation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accommodation¹

1595–1605; < Latin accommodātiōn- (stem of accommodātiō ) adjustment. See accommodate, -ion

Example Sentences

In most states, it remains illegal to discriminate against members of the LGBTQ community in matters of housing, public accommodation, and all the rest.

From Washington Blade

So what we need is the Equality Act, which would amend the iconic Civil Rights Act to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination in matters of employment, housing, public accommodation and every sense.

From Washington Blade

Take Getaway House, whose accommodations outside 13 major cities are more like secluded cabins, or Loge Camps, an outdoorsy brand that renovates motels near naturally pristine settings.

From Fortune

What’s changed is that I am even more acutely aware of just how important it is to make accommodations for people before they need to ask for them, and that no one can both do good work and be in video calls for 8-plus hours a day.

From Fortune

Now, some accommodations are taking this approach to the hotel bar.

From Fortune

But requiring a private business to provide equal accommodation to all Americans, including the gay ones?

From The Daily Beast

But Bone, when we routed him out, could not promise us any more accommodation than he had so kindly given us the first night.

From The Daily Beast

There could be no accommodation of that guy—in terms of human behavior and the rules of Italian-American organized crime.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps this is part of why they have become so accomplished at a certain kind of disability accommodation.

From The Daily Beast

Accommodation marketplaces like Onefinestay, Airbnb, and Trampolinn have boomed in popularity.

From The Daily Beast

In ordinary times fares ranged from ₱50 saloon accommodation to ₱8 a deck passage.

From Project Gutenberg

Accommodation was cheap, manners were easy, and knowledge of the gay city less than rudimentary.

From Project Gutenberg

Nicolas Amati did not introduce it, his work being of the kind that had no accommodation, or sufficient surface for it.

From Project Gutenberg

The outcome of the wrangle was a purely personal accommodation of an essentially momentary character.

From Project Gutenberg

In Guernsey, however, Cuckoos are much too numerous for the Hedgesparrow to afford accommodation for them all.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• compromise
• reconciliation

More About Accommodation

What does accommodation mean?

Accommodation is commonly used in the plural form (accommodations) to refer to lodging—a place to stay, usually temporarily, as in hotel accommodations.

Sometimes, accommodations means both food and lodging, as in This resort is all-inclusive, so all of our accommodations are included in the cost. 

In the context of transportation, accommodations refers to one’s seat on a vehicle, such as an airplane or train, or one’s lodging on a train or ship that has rooms (cabins) for sleeping.

More generally, accommodation means the act of accommodating. The verb accommodate has several meanings.

To accommodate someone is to do them a favor or meet their needs or wants in some way. For example: Your constant accommodation of people doesn’t leave any time for yourself.

To accommodate a request is to honor it—to do what has been asked. For example: Your accommodation of my special requests has been very kind. 

The adjective accommodating means eager or willing to help or please in this way.

Accommodate can also mean to make or have room for, as in This bus can accommodate up to 50 passengers. 

Similarly, accommodate can mean to provide someone with a place to stay. For example: Unfortunately, the accommodation of that many people is not possible at this hotel. 

Example: What were the accommodations like at your hotel? Did your room have a nice view?

Where does accommodation come from?

The first records of the word accommodation come from the 1500s. Its base word, accommodate, is from the Latin verb accommodāre, meaning “to make fit.” Its root word, the Latin commod(us), means “fitting” or “suitable.”

Accommodation and accommodations are usually used in the context of fitting people in or suiting their needs. Sometimes, the accommodation of others means ignoring your own needs or making some kind of sacrifice to do what they want or need. When it’s used in this way, the word sometimes implies that you’re going through too much trouble to please a person—that you’re bending over backwards for them.

Accommodations is most commonly used in the context of hotel rooms. When you book accommodations for a trip, you reserve your place to stay (and sometimes also make plans for where you will eat).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to accommodation?

• accommodations (plural)
• accommodate (verb)

What are some synonyms for accommodations?

• lodging

What are some words that share a root or word element with accommodation?

• accommodating

What are some words that often get used in discussing accommodation?

• room
• hotel
• stay
• reserve
• book
• night
• help
• request
• ask

How is accommodation used in real life?

Accommodation can be used in many different contexts. When the term is used in the context of lodging, the plural accommodations is usually used.

My London/UK friends: Do you have any recommendations for affordable hotel accommodations in London for someone's first visit to the city?

— Petra Gregorová (@PetraGregorova) August 12, 2013

I hate when people say "you can't expect the world to accommodate you."#Disability accommodations are a RIGHT. So, yes, actually we can and should expect accessibility. It is the bare minimum.

Nondisabled ppl don't understand this bc their needs are accommodated by default.

— alex's sleep deprived tweets (@swampflora) October 30, 2020

New: N.Y. Early Voter Rights: Stay On Line, Ask for Accessible Accommodations https://t.co/ypCCrGpFul

— Electionland (@electionland) October 28, 2020

 

Try using accommodation!

Is accommodation used correctly in the following sentence?

The accommodation of the needs of disabled people should be a priority in every workplace.