dormitory

noun

dor·​mi·​to·​ry ˈdȯr-mə-ˌtȯr-ē 

plural dormitories

1

: a room for sleeping

especially : a large room containing numerous beds

2

: a residence hall providing rooms for individuals or for groups usually without private baths

3

chiefly British : a residential community inhabited chiefly by commuters

Examples of dormitory in a Sentence

Guests at the camp can stay in private cabins or for a smaller fee in the dormitories.

Recent Examples on the Web

Michael Franklin Crumbley of Gaston County died days after he was attacked by other prisoners in an open dormitory area of the minimum-security prison, The Charlotte Observer reported last year. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 12 Apr. 2024

The dormitory on the second floor accommodated 62 firefighters, and the third floor contained the largest gym of any such facility in the country. —Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin dormitorium, from dormire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dormitory

• dormitory town

Kids Definition

dormitory

noun

dor·​mi·​to·​ry ˈdȯr-mə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

plural dormitories

1

: a sleeping room especially for several people

2

: a residence hall having many sleeping rooms