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

Naysayers — especially university leaders — point out that many kids from low-income families receive grants, scholarships and student aid. —George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

Benjamin Laker is a university professor who’s been writing about leadership and strategy on Forbes since early 2020. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Some could sue to gain even longer collegiate careers, with athletes using university graduate programs to play college sports well into their 20s or even beyond. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Dec. 2024

International students from 131 countries make up 26% of Cornell’s student body, according to university data. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 22 Dec. 2024

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

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