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

These days, of course, people from all over the world want to see its historic motels, quirky tourist attractions and its 2,448-mile string of retro gas pumps and gorgeous neon signs. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026

They are headed to a motel, hoping to come back to safety. —Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

This applies to hotels, motels, and individual short-term rentals that are listed on sites like AirBnB or VRBO. —Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026

According to Texas Health and Human Services, bed bugs can be found in any type of home — apartments, houses, group living situations, hospitals, five star hotels, motels and even public transportation vehicles. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026

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