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
Williamson County includes parts of Austin, where Worthy played college football at the University of Texas.
—
Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Then, during winter break of his freshman year of college, he was admitted to Children’s Hospital New Orleans for a vaginoplasty.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article New York colleges and universities are freezing hiring and warning that President Trump’s federal cuts endanger the very existence of their research programs.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
One of the records was set by fans of the University of Kansas for the largest gathering of people wearing holiday sweaters during a men’s college basketball game against the University of Montana on Dec. 19, 2015.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for college
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.
Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Then, during winter break of his freshman year of college, he was admitted to Children’s Hospital New Orleans for a vaginoplasty.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2025
Listen to this article New York colleges and universities are freezing hiring and warning that President Trump’s federal cuts endanger the very existence of their research programs.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025
One of the records was set by fans of the University of Kansas for the largest gathering of people wearing holiday sweaters during a men’s college basketball game against the University of Montana on Dec. 19, 2015.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share