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

Early in the evening, Florida A&M’s Rattlers hosted the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions for the historically Black university’s annual homecoming game. — Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026

Overall, university investigations have a lower standard of proof and evidence than the criminal justice system. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Some Virginia universities have quietly been taking steps to provide scholarships to descendants, as required under a 2021 state law. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

The protests began weeks earlier and were led by high school and university students. — James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 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