college

noun

col·​lege ˈkä-lij 

often attributive

1

a

: an independent institution of higher learning offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree

a liberal arts college

also : a university division offering this

b

: a part of a university offering a specialized group of courses

the university's college of pharmacy

c

: an institution offering instruction usually in a professional, vocational, or technical field

business college

an embalming college

d

: a self-governing constituent body of a university offering living quarters and sometimes instruction but not granting degrees

Balliol and Magdalen Colleges at Oxford

called also residential college

e

: a preparatory or high school

2

: the faculty, students, or administration of a college

The college was at the football game in force.

3

a

: a group of persons considered by law to be a unit

b

: a body of electors compare electoral college

4

: a building used for an educational or religious purpose

5

: a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundation

6

: company, group

specifically : an organized body of persons engaged in a common pursuit or having common interests or duties

a college of cardinals serving as papal councillors and electors

Synonyms of college

• organization
• institution
• institute
• fraternity
• society
• association
• chamber
• brotherhood
• board

Examples of college in a Sentence

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.

I went to Mount Holyoke College.

When I was a junior in college, I spent a semester in Spain.

the Edinburgh College of Art

the London College of Fashion

She is attending fashion college.

Recent Examples on the Web

And while DeBoer to Penn State would certainly shake up the college football landscape, not to mention create another major college football job opening at Alabama, one top CFB insider believes DeBoer isn’t a realistic possibility for the Nittany Lions. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Nov. 2025

Award recognizes achievement in low-income schools The award comes from Children at Risk, a nonprofit that ranks schools based on student achievement, growth, and college readiness. —Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025

My parents used The Game of Life to talk through things like college, family, and major milestones. —Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 22 Nov. 2025

Later, Walz approved programs providing drivers licenses, free college tuition and health insurance to undocumented immigrants. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin collegium society, from collega colleague — more at colleague

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing college

• apply for college
• college/student deferment
• college try
• community college
• cow college
• electoral college
• give it the old college try
• junior college
• pre-college
• residential college
• sixth form college
• state college
• sub-college
• teachers college
• training college

Rhymes for college

• haulage
• knowledge
• acknowledge
• precollege
• foreknowledge

Kids Definition

college

noun

col·​lege ˈkäl-ij 

1

: a building used for an educational or religious purpose

2

a

: a self-governing body of a university offering living quarters and instruction but not granting degrees

Balliol College at Oxford

b

: a school higher than a high school

c

: an independent institution offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree

also : a university division offering this

3

: an organized body of persons having common interests or duties

the college of cardinals