university

noun

uni·​ver·​si·​ty ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-sə-tē 

-ˈvər-stē

plural universities

1

: an institution of higher learning providing facilities for teaching and research and authorized to grant academic degrees

specifically : one made up of an undergraduate division which confers bachelor's degrees and a graduate division which comprises a graduate school and professional schools each of which may confer master's degrees and doctorates

2

: the physical plant of a university

Examples of university in a Sentence

I applied to several public universities.

He lives near the university.

Recent Examples on the Web

Along with this global establishment, the young company has secured partnerships with DAX and S&P 500 corporations and collaborated with top universities to integrate modern research into the technology. —Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025

The Texas Tribune noted that both proposals lacked an additional two years of funding for the university institutional enhancement fund. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

Some are staying in university dorms, others in makeshift shelters. —Julia Frankel, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025

The University of Southern California’s actions this month — similar to some other universities throughout the country— appear to be aimed at avoiding federal scrutiny, according to USC faculty and staff and reviews of portions of the USC website archives. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English universite, from Anglo-French université, from Medieval Latin universitat-, universitas, from Latin universus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing university

• anti-university
• go to university
• inter-university
• pre-university
• state university

Rhymes for university

• adversity
• diversity
• perversity
• biodiversity
• polydispersity

Kids Definition

university

noun

uni·​ver·​si·​ty ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-sət-ē 

-ˈvər-stē

plural universities

: a school that offers courses leading to a degree (as a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree) and where research is done