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

For service members, the proposal ensures the military housing allowance no longer counts against eligibility, while former foster youth would see restrictions eased to combat college hunger.

From Salon

“If you watched him in college, you know what he’s capable of,” Reaves said after the Lakers’ 124-118 win against Utah.

From Los Angeles Times

The school has been affiliated with more than 160 Nobel Prize winners, by far the most of any U.S. college or university.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe the best high school running back to ever come out of Orange County woke up ready to devour the college that had only wanted him if he would play defensive back.

From Los Angeles Times

Even a two-game losing streak — just the second multi-game losing streak in Dobbins’ college and pro career — was unacceptable to him.

From Los Angeles Times