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

By setting clear priorities and sticking to a structured schedule, the student maintains a high GPA and demonstrates strong leadership skills, which makes their application stand out to top-tier universities. —Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

The funds dedicated to the College of Veterinary Medicine will be from the interest the endowment earns, said Lucinda McDaniel, president of the Kays Foundation board, in a statement from the university's announcement. —The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 10 Sep. 2024

In 1971, the university gave him an honorary doctor of humane letters. —Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2024

Columbia antisemitism task force finds school failed to stop hate against Jewish students During a protest in April at the Manhattan university, a witness, who is Jewish, said another protester stole his Israeli flag, prosecutors said. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2024

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

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