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.

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 Word Forms

• postcollege noun
• precollege noun
• subcollege 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

He said the AoC would support Ofsted and colleges in bringing in the new system, but that he was "concerned about the speed of implementation at the busiest time of the year for colleges".

From BBC

Africa Institute offers “Know Your Rights” webinars that are tailored to support college students who are undocumented, refugees, immigrants or international students, and their families.

From Los Angeles Times

Sixth form colleges are typically larger than sixth forms attached to schools, and can support thousands of 16 to 19-year-old students studying for A-levels, as well as technical and vocational qualifications.

From BBC

She wants to go to college to study one of the sciences.

From Los Angeles Times

A state bill that could have established overnight parking programs for homeless students enrolled in California community colleges looks unlikely to pass in the legislative session ending Friday.

From Los Angeles Times