motel

noun

mo·​tel mō-ˈtel 

: an establishment which provides lodging and parking and in which the rooms are usually accessible from an outdoor parking area

Examples of motel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, when the Martins were broke, before Christy gained the attention of legendary boxing promoter Don King, Jim, played on screen in a terrifying performance by Ben Foster, would take her to motel rooms to spar with men who would pay for the opportunity. —Esther Zuckerman, Time, 6 Sep. 2025

Mahan added that the city would also be opening another motel next week. —Devan Patel, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025

Tucked in the Stateline area of South Lake Tahoe (just a stone’s throw from Heavenly Village and within walking distance of the area’s buzzy restaurants and shops) sits a vintage roadside motel turned sleek boutique lodge. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025

All 12 showered in that room and then convened around the cars outside the motel. —Curtis Bunn, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

blend of motor and hotel

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for motel

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

Kids Definition

motel

noun

mo·​tel mō-ˈtel 

: a building or group of buildings which provide lodgings and in which the rooms are usually reached directly from an outdoor parking lot