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

Southwestern College in Chula Vista might become the first public community college in the state to get permission to create four bachelor’s degree programs — a move that could help lead to the establishment of South County’s first full-service university. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

Erika Beck, president of CSUN, touted the university’s partnerships throughout the community and the innovative career choice options for its students. —Marianne Love, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026

The model, called SleepFM, reportedly can predict a person’s risk of developing more than 100 health conditions, according to a press release from the university. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

The university is investigating and asked anyone with information to call [phone]. —Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 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