university

[ yoo-nuh-vur-si-tee ]

noun

, plural u·ni·ver·si·ties.

1. an institution of learning of the highest level, having a college of liberal arts and a program of graduate studies together with several professional schools, as of theology, law, medicine, and engineering, and authorized to confer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Continental European universities usually have only graduate or professional schools.

university

/ ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsɪtɪ /

noun

1. an institution of higher education having authority to award bachelors' and higher degrees, usually having research facilities
2. the buildings, members, staff, or campus of a university

Other Words From

• u·ni·ver·si·tar·i·an [yoo-n, uh, -vur-si-, tair, -ee-, uh, n], noun adjective
• anti·uni·versi·ty adjective noun
• counter·uni·versi·ty noun plural counteruniversities
• inter·uni·versi·ty adjective
• nonu·ni·versi·ty noun plural nonuniversities adjective
• preu·ni·versi·ty adjective
• prou·ni·versi·ty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of university¹

1250–1300; Middle English universite < Old French < Medieval Latin ūniversitās, Late Latin: guild, corporation, Latin: totality, equivalent to ūnivers ( us ) ( universe ) + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of university¹

C14: from Old French universite, from Medieval Latin universitās group of scholars, from Late Latin: guild, society, body of men, from Latin: whole, totality, universe

Example Sentences

Quilligan continues to be taught in universities and retold in academic books as a cautionary tale of eugenics and public health gone wrong, its plaintiffs hailed as reproductive-rights heroines.

From Los Angeles Times

The second half of “Dahomey” features an extended public debate among university students in Benin that addresses an array of complex issues raised by the treasures’ return, aligning historical past with speculative future.

From Los Angeles Times

“Every attempt to communicate concerns here goes nowhere,” she wrote to the university’s human resources department, according to an email viewed by The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

"I think one of the most important parts of university is to meet new people," says the fourth-year economics and philosophy student.

From BBC

A USC student was one of three people killed in a Tesla Cybertruck crash early Wednesday in Piedmont, the university confirmed Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• academy
• institution
• school