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
Wesley Miller, who started 23 games at South Alabama over the past two years, provides depth at safety along with DeAndre Boykins, who is in his sixth season of college.
—
Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
The Current also added several college players and traded for veteran attacker Penelope Hocking.
—Pj Green
april 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026
In this simian spin on the slasher movie, college kid Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) returns home to Hawaii for a visit with family and Ben, a super-smart chimp and her late mom's research project.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
If colleges fail to submit timely, complete and accurate data, the administration has said McMahon can take action under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which outlines requirements for colleges receiving federal financial aid for students.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for college
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show current usage.
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Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
The Current also added several college players and traded for veteran attacker Penelope Hocking.
—Pj Green
april 5, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026
In this simian spin on the slasher movie, college kid Lucy (Johnny Sequoyah) returns home to Hawaii for a visit with family and Ben, a super-smart chimp and her late mom's research project.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
If colleges fail to submit timely, complete and accurate data, the administration has said McMahon can take action under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which outlines requirements for colleges receiving federal financial aid for students.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
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 Apr. 2026.
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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