plural colleges
1
: a school in the U.S. that you go to after high school : a school that offers courses leading to a degree (such as a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree)
She teaches art at a local college.
He graduated from one of the country's best colleges.
She attended a business college.
He attended college for several years, but didn't graduate.
She dropped out of college.
Where did you go to college? [=what college did you attend?]
I went to Mount Holyoke College.
When I was a junior in college, I spent a semester in Spain.
—often used before another nouncollege students/courses/professors
He is a college graduate.
She was the first in her family to get a college education.
a college campus
college athletic programs
2
: a part of an American university that offers courses in a specified subject
—often + of
He attended the university's college of dentistry/engineering/medicine.
3
a
: a school in Britain that offers advanced training in a specified subject
an arts college
the Edinburgh College of Art
the London College of Fashion
She is attending fashion college.
b
: a separate part of a large British university where students live and take courses
Balliol College at Oxford
4
formal
: an organized group of people who have similar jobs or interests
She is a member of the American College of Cardiology.
the college of cardinals
Cite this Entry
“College.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/college. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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