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
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
For many postgrads in the early 2010s, life after college didn’t unfold the way they’d been promised.
—
Alexandra Jane, Essence, 31 July 2025
According to calculations published by The Financial Times, a 10% drop in international student enrollment could cost U.S. colleges and universities $3 billion in revenue.
—Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
From a recruiting standpoint, the reality of that ruling starts to hit home in earnest on Aug. 1, the first day that college football programs can extend rev-share contract offers to prospects entering their senior year of high school.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 31 July 2025
After turning 19 years old, Cruise Bogle returned home to Delray Beach, Florida, following his first semester at college.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for college
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Alexandra Jane, Essence, 31 July 2025
According to calculations published by The Financial Times, a 10% drop in international student enrollment could cost U.S. colleges and universities $3 billion in revenue.
—Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
From a recruiting standpoint, the reality of that ruling starts to hit home in earnest on Aug. 1, the first day that college football programs can extend rev-share contract offers to prospects entering their senior year of high school.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 31 July 2025
After turning 19 years old, Cruise Bogle returned home to Delray Beach, Florida, following his first semester at college.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for college
Cite this Entry
“College.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/college. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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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