Main Entry: col·lege

Pronunciation: \ˈkä-lij\

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin collegium society, from collega colleague — more at colleague

Date: 14th century

1 : a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundation
2 : a building used for an educational or religious purpose
3 a : a self-governing constituent body of a university offering living quarters and sometimes instruction but not granting degrees <Balliol and Magdalen Colleges at Oxford> —called also residential college b : a preparatory or high school c : an independent institution of higher learning offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree; also : a university division offering this d : a part of a university offering a specialized group of courses e : an institution offering instruction usually in a professional, vocational, or technical field <business college>
4 : company, group; specifically : an organized body of persons engaged in a common pursuit or having common interests or duties
5 a : a group of persons considered by law to be a unit b : a body of electors — compare electoral college
6 : the faculty, students, or administration of a college