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

Like swimming, Golden's involvement with the university never stopped, either. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026

But if these donations are purely charitable gifts, how can universities also operate admissions systems in which major donors receive preferential consideration for their children? — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

In May, ownership of the stadium was transferred to a for-profit wholly owned by the university called Ryan Field Foundation LLC. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026

The Office of Student Assistance and Support and University Health Services are providing student support as needed, the university said. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 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