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

Many of the diners and motels along the 2,448-mile long highway are being spruced up for the centenary. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

McCray was taken into custody at a Hollywood motel off Federal Highway. —Joan Murray, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026

The patient thriller finds Agnes lonely in her seedy motel, with a phone that often rings, though the person on the other end of the line never speaks. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026

In the film, a night at the motel where Joe had fond memories is part of his 18th birthday celebration, in which Irene gets him sneakers he’s been eyeing. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 Jan. 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