campus

American  

[kam-puhs] / ˈkæm pəs /

noun

plural

campuses

1. the grounds, often including the buildings, of a college, university, or school.

2. a college or university.

   The large influx of older students radically changed many campuses throughout the country.

3. a division of a university that has its own grounds, buildings, and faculty but is administratively joined to the rest of the university.

4. the world of higher education.

   Foundation grants have had a marked effect on the character of the American campus.

5. a large, usually suburban, landscaped business or industrial site.

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campus British  

/ ˈkæmpəs /

noun

1. the grounds and buildings of a university

2. the outside area of a college, university, etc

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Other Word Forms

• intercampus adjective
• noncampus adjective

Etymology

Origin of campus

1765–75, < Latin: flat place, field, plain

Example Sentences

The fire forced evacuations and closures, with Moreno Valley College announcing it would be closed Friday and Saturday, canceling all events on its main campus.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Here to provide some much-needed guidance and inspiration is Ann Ziata, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

In a statement, the Gorman family put it simply but well: “Sheridan was our daughter. She was 18 years old. She was doing something entirely normal—walking near her campus with friends. She should be here.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The data-center developer co-founded by Rick Perry, the former energy secretary and governor of Texas, confirmed Monday that it is yet to sign a cornerstone tenant for its Project Matador campus in Amarillo, Texas.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

One day Mama walked me over to campus to talk to Professor James C. Evans, the head of the math department.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Related Words

• dorm
• square