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

The results show that for elite universities, the sweet spot for quantity of extracurricular activities is just four. —Derek Newton, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Blum has long fought to end affirmative action, not just in public and private universities but also at military academies. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 16 June 2025

Inskeep: There's a huge debate right now in the United States about international students, particularly at elite universities. —Mansee Khurana, NPR, 16 June 2025

As other universities have done, Hopkins has warned international students and faculty of the risk of travel abroad these days. —Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 16 June 2025

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