university

noun

uni·​ver·​si·​ty ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-sə-tē 

-ˈvər-stē

plural universities

1

: an institution of higher learning providing facilities for teaching and research and authorized to grant academic degrees

specifically : one made up of an undergraduate division which confers bachelor's degrees and a graduate division which comprises a graduate school and professional schools each of which may confer master's degrees and doctorates

2

: the physical plant of a university

Examples of university in a Sentence

I applied to several public universities.

He lives near the university.

Recent Examples on the Web

Most fraternities maintain academic standards that exceed university requirements including minimum GPAs for membership, officer positions and social events. —Anthony V. MacK, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026

The event is considered to have changed the future for historically Black colleges and universities, and is among the most defining moments in an era of student protests. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026

Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September while speaking at a Utah university, established Turning Point USA in 2012 to encourage young people to engage in free speech and advocate for conservative policies. —Cate Charron, IndyStar, 6 Feb. 2026

Students founded the Otpor movement in Serbia in 1998 to resist the regime’s repression of universities. —Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English universite, from Anglo-French université, from Medieval Latin universitat-, universitas, from Latin universus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing university

• anti-university
• go to university
• inter-university
• pre-university
• state university

Rhymes for university

• adversity
• diversity
• perversity
• biodiversity
• polydispersity

Kids Definition

university

noun

uni·​ver·​si·​ty ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-sət-ē 

-ˈvər-stē

plural universities

: a school that offers courses leading to a degree (as a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree) and where research is done