accommodation

noun

ac·​com·​mo·​da·​tion ə-ˌkä-mə-ˈdā-shən 

1

: something supplied for convenience or to satisfy a need: such as

a

: lodging, food, and services or traveling space and related services

—usually used in plural

tourist accommodations on the boat

overnight accommodations

b

: a public conveyance (such as a train) that stops at all or nearly all points

c

: loan

2

: the act of accommodating someone or something : the state of being accommodated: such as

a

: the providing of what is needed or desired for convenience

changed his schedule for the accommodation of his clients

b

: adaptation, adjustment

an accommodation to temporary conditions

c

: a reconciliation of differences : settlement

Negotiators felt that an accommodation with the union was possible.

d

: the automatic adjustment of the eye for seeing at different distances effected chiefly by changes in the convexity of the crystalline lens

also : the range over which such adjustment is possible

accommodational

ə-ˌkä-mə-ˈdā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of accommodation

• lodging

Examples of accommodation in a Sentence

They weren't sure if they could provide food and accommodations for the whole group.

The accommodations on board the boat are a bit cramped.

He hoped to reach an accommodation with the new owners.

Negotiators were convinced that accommodation with the union was possible.

He changed his schedule as an accommodation to his clients.

Changes were made for the accommodation of differing viewpoints.

Recent Examples on the Web

Named one of the most charming small towns in Alabama and under-the-radar mountain destinations, Mentone offers not only gorgeous views, but plenty of worthy accommodations from golf and ski resorts to dude ranches. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 July 2026

Take an afternoon siesta at your accommodation, or grab a bite at hotel bars and cafes, which are the best places to find air-conditioning, Gacheny said. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026

Our knack for accommodation increasingly looks like what evolutionary biologists call a maladaptation. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026

Four of the top five destinations—Greenland, French Polynesia, Antarctica, and the Maldives—are remote, where transportation, limited infrastructure, and luxury accommodations can quickly raise the price of a trip. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin accommodātiōn-, accommodātiō "act of fitting or adapting, willingness to oblige," from accommodāre "to accommodate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing accommodation

• accommodation ladder

Rhymes for accommodation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration
• affiliation

Kids Definition

accommodation

noun

ac·​com·​mo·​da·​tion ə-ˌkäm-ə-ˈdā-shən 

1

a

: something supplied that is useful and handy

b

plural : lodging and meals or traveling space and related services

overnight accommodations

2

: the act of accommodating : the state of being accommodated

3

: the automatic adjustment of the eye for seeing at different distances

4

: an adjustment of differences : settlement

Medical Definition

accommodation

noun

ac·​com·​mo·​da·​tion ə-ˌkäm-ə-ˈdā-shən 

: an adaptation or adjustment especially of a bodily part (as an organ): as

a

: the automatic adjustment of the eye for seeing at different distances effected chiefly by changes in the convexity of the crystalline lens

b

: the range over which such adjustment is possible