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
Synonyms
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
About 28% of first-year students from California and other states were low-income and 29% were the first in their families to attend college.
—
Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
In a landmark case, Asian American students, represented by Students for Fair Admissions, sued Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, alleging that affirmative action policies discriminated against them in college admissions.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Follow the money: California's public institutions are well-funded compared to other states, which helps keep college affordable.
—Nadia Lopez, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
In the wake of last year’s Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action in college admissions, DEI has turned into the far-right’s booegyman.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for college 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
In a landmark case, Asian American students, represented by Students for Fair Admissions, sued Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, alleging that affirmative action policies discriminated against them in college admissions.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Follow the money: California's public institutions are well-funded compared to other states, which helps keep college affordable.
—Nadia Lopez, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024
In the wake of last year’s Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action in college admissions, DEI has turned into the far-right’s booegyman.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for college
Dictionary Entries Near college
Cite this Entry
“College.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/college. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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