hotel

1 of 2

noun

ho·​tel hō-ˈtel How to pronounce hotel (audio)
ˈhō-ˌtel
Synonyms of hotelnext
: an establishment that provides lodging and usually meals, entertainment, and various personal services for the public : inn
hoteldom
hō-ˈtel-dəm How to pronounce hotel (audio)
ˈhō-ˌtel-
noun

Hotel

2 of 2

communications code word

used as a code word for the letter h

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
RVing is not cheap, but renting can be comparable to the cost of road tripping with hotel stays and dining out. Eve Chen, USA Today, 23 June 2026 Liam Payne’s young son, Bear, has been named the sole beneficiary of the One Direction alum’s estate, nearly two years after the pop star fatally plunged from a hotel balcony in South America. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026 The family is in mourning while living in a hotel and waiting for answers, stuck in a state of uncertainty over whether the Tesla or the driver is to blame. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 June 2026 The hotel is owned by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, which donates 100 percent of the profits to charities. Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hotel

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hotel was in 1687

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hotel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hotel. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

hotel

noun
ho·​tel hō-ˈtel How to pronounce hotel (audio)
: 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

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