college

noun

col·​lege ˈkä-lij 

often attributive

1

a

: an independent institution of higher learning offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree

a liberal arts college

also : a university division offering this

b

: a part of a university offering a specialized group of courses

the university's college of pharmacy

c

: an institution offering instruction usually in a professional, vocational, or technical field

business college

an embalming college

d

: 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

e

: a preparatory or high school

2

: the faculty, students, or administration of a college

The college was at the football game in force.

3

a

: a group of persons considered by law to be a unit

b

: a body of electors compare electoral college

4

: a building used for an educational or religious purpose

5

: a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundation

6

: company, group

specifically : an organized body of persons engaged in a common pursuit or having common interests or duties

a college of cardinals serving as papal councillors and electors

Synonyms of college

• organization
• institution
• institute
• fraternity
• society
• association
• chamber
• brotherhood
• board

Examples of college in a Sentence

She teaches art at a local college.

He graduated from one of the country's best colleges.

She attended a business college.

He attended college for several years, but didn't graduate.

She dropped out of college.

I went to Mount Holyoke College.

When I was a junior in college, I spent a semester in Spain.

the Edinburgh College of Art

the London College of Fashion

She is attending fashion college.

Recent Examples on the Web

Angela Juergens, 37, grew up in New York and moved to Texas after college to work as a public school art teacher. —ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026

Scott has also donated large amounts of money to historically Black colleges and universities. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Feb. 2026

The center is part of the initiative, which received funding from the Harmony Project, named for Judith Harmony, a pioneering woman in college education. —Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2026

Meanwhile, families with resources opt out —moving to more expensive neighborhoods, hiring tutors, or paying private tuition that now rivals college costs. —Jacquelyn Martell, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing college

• apply for college
• college/student deferment
• college try
• community college
• cow college
• electoral college
• give it the old college try
• junior college
• pre-college
• residential college
• sixth form college
• state college
• sub-college
• teachers college
• training college

Rhymes for college

• haulage
• knowledge
• acknowledge
• precollege
• foreknowledge

Kids Definition

college

noun

col·​lege ˈkäl-ij 

1

: a building used for an educational or religious purpose

2

a

: a self-governing body of a university offering living quarters and instruction but not granting degrees

Balliol College at Oxford

b

: a school higher than a high school

c

: an independent institution offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree

also : a university division offering this

3

: an organized body of persons having common interests or duties

the college of cardinals