Main Entry: car·a·van·sa·ry

Pronunciation: \ˌker-ə-ˈvan(t)-sə-rē, ˌka-rə-\

Variant(s): or car·a·van·se·rai \-sə-ˌrī\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural car·a·van·sa·ries or car·a·van·se·rais or car·a·van·se·rai

Etymology: Persian kārvānsarāī, from kārvān caravan + sarāī palace, inn

Date: 1599

1 : an inn surrounding a court in eastern countries where caravans rest at night
2 : hotel, inn