caravansary

noun

car·​a·​van·​sa·​ry ˌker-ə-ˈvan(t)-sə-rē 

ˌka-rə-

variants or caravanserai

ˌker-ə-ˈvan(t)-sə-ˌrī 

ˌka-rə-

plural caravansaries or caravanserais or caravanserai

1

: an inn surrounding a court in eastern countries where caravans rest at night

2

: hotel, inn

Did you know?

In the Middle East of centuries past, caravans often lodged at caravansaries. These inns were quadrangular in form and enclosed by massive walls with small windows near the top. The central court, which was surrounded by an arcade and storerooms, was large enough to hold 300 to 400 camels. The name was formed from the word caravan and the Persian word sarāī, meaning "palace" or "inn." Caravansary can also be spelled caravanserai, and the word serai is used as a synonym for it.

Synonyms

• auberge
• hospice
• hostel
• hostelry
• hotel
• inn
• lodge
• public house
• tavern

Examples of caravansary in a Sentence

a caravansary designed specifically for self-styled cheapskates

Recent Examples on the Web

Another of Bogaczewicz’s photographs captures a Saudi family having a picnic under a highway overpass, much as their bedouin ancestors might have stopped their caravansary by a desert wadi to have a meal. —Wired, 26 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Persian kārvānsarāī, from kārvān caravan + sarāī palace, inn

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

caravansary

noun

car·​a·​van·​sa·​ry ˌkar-ə-ˈvan(t)-sə-rē 

variants or caravanserai

-sə-ˌrī 

plural caravansaries or caravansarais or caravansarai

1

: an inn in eastern countries where caravans rest at night

2

: hotel, inn