hotel

1 of 3

noun (1)

ho·​tel hō-ˈtel How to pronounce hotel (audio)
ˈhō-ˌtel
Synonyms of hotelnext
: an establishment that provides lodging and usually meals, entertainment, and various personal services for the public : inn
hoteldom
hō-ˈtel-dəm How to pronounce hotel (audio)
ˈhō-ˌtel-
noun

Hotel

2 of 3

communications code word

—used as a code word for the letter h

hoteldom

3 of 3

noun (2)

ho·​tel·​dom hōˈteldəm How to pronounce hoteldom (audio)
plural -s
: hotels and hotel workers
you can't talk connectedly to anybody except … to a minor part of hoteldom and of officialdom—Laura Z. Hobson

Synonyms of hotel

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Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of hotel in a Sentence

Noun (1) check out of a hotel for their 50th anniversary they stayed at one of the finest hotels in San Francisco
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Today, it has been reborn as a winery and hotel, featuring rooms, suites, and townhouse-style residences. — Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026 Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, writing on Telegram, said the hotel roof was on fire. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 July 2026 For families At first glance, the hotel, with its powder-fresh interiors and luxury amenities doesn’t seem like it’s made for families, but the hotel goes out of its way to welcome them. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026 Part private local members’ club (known as Six Senses Place) and part hotel, all overnight guests enjoy access to the members-only areas of the property. — Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hotel

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

borrowed from French hôtel, going back to Old French hostel, ostel "lodging, accommodation" — more at hostel entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1687, in the meaning defined above

Communications Code Word

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hotel was in 1687

Phrases Containing hotel

Rhymes for hotel

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Browse Nearby Words

hot-draw
hotel
Hotel
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Cite this Entry

“Hotel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hotel. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hotel

noun
ho·​tel hō-ˈtel How to pronounce hotel (audio)
: an establishment that provides lodging and often meals, entertainment, and personal services for its guests
Etymology

Noun

from French hôtel "hotel," from early French hostel "a place for travelers to spend the night," derived from Latin hospitalis "of a guest, showing hospitality," from hospit-, hospes "host, stranger, guest" — related to hospital, hospitality

More from Merriam-Webster on hotel

Nglish: Translation of hotel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hotel

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