hotel

1 of 2

noun

ho·​tel hō-ˈtel 

ˈhō-ˌtel

: an establishment that provides lodging and usually meals, entertainment, and various personal services for the public : inn

hoteldom

hō-ˈtel-dəm 

ˈhō-ˌtel-

noun

Hotel

2 of 2

communications code word

—used as a code word for the letter h

Synonyms of hotel

Noun

• hostel
• tavern
• motel

Examples of hotel in a Sentence

Noun

check out of a hotel

for their 50th anniversary they stayed at one of the finest hotels in San Francisco

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Fifth Avenue hotel, which has stood for more than 119 years, will close for at least four years beginning next January to restore the 18-story building's landmark facade, according to Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the operator of the Plaza. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

For more details or to book your stay, head to the hotel’s website. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

To try that one, the salesperson first had to turn down the covers for us like a mother with her children or a housekeeper in a fancy hotel. — Jaklin Romine oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

The hotel is also home to &More Cafe, a great spot to grab coffee and pastries before a day out on the town. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French hôtel, going back to Old French hostel, ostel "lodging, accommodation" — more at hostel entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1687, in the meaning defined above

Communications Code Word

1951, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hotel

• apartment hotel
• boutique hotel

Rhymes for hotel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

hotel

noun

ho·​tel hō-ˈtel 

: an establishment that provides lodging and often meals, entertainment, and personal services for its guests

Etymology

Noun

from French hôtel "hotel," from early French hostel "a place for travelers to spend the night," derived from Latin hospitalis "of a guest, showing hospitality," from hospit-, hospes "host, stranger, guest" — related to hospital, hospitality