university

noun

uni·​ver·​si·​ty ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-sə-tē How to pronounce university (audio)
-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
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.
Daniels also said the bill could conflict with the higher education overhaul, Senate Bill 1, which prohibits universities from taking a position on controversial beliefs or policies. Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025 Missouri’s government also banned state agencies from spending money on diversity programs and initiatives, and Kansas banned public universities from requiring prospective students or hires to make statements on DEI. Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025 Boutorabi, who graduated from Columbia university with an MFA in screenwriting, is based in New York City. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025 At Christ Church, Oxford, one of the university’s most storied colleges, the long high table in the dining hall has been in place since the college’s founding in 1546. Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for university

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of university was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“University.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/university. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

university

noun
uni·​ver·​si·​ty ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-sət-ē How to pronounce university (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on university

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