motel

noun

mo·​tel mō-ˈtel How to pronounce motel (audio)
: 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
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.
Over the coming year, San Jose will add more than 1,400 shelter placements between safe sleeping and safe parking sites, hotel and motel room conversions and tiny home communities. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025 Comments Three bodies in a motel room lead the NCIS team to Sam Hannah, who’s been working as a congressional liaison after the death of his Elite squad in Hawaii. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 22 Apr. 2025 Her body was discovered a few days later in a motel room rented by Rogers, according to the motion. Chris Spargo, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Since 2022, her Inside Safe program has been moving people off the street and into hotels, motels and permanent housing. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for motel

Word History

Etymology

blend of motor and hotel

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of motel was in 1925

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motel. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

motel

noun
mo·​tel mō-ˈtel How to pronounce motel (audio)
: a building or group of buildings which provide lodgings and in which the rooms are usually reached directly from an outdoor parking lot

More from Merriam-Webster on motel

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