noun
college
KOL-ihj
noun
1
An institution of higher education, often part of a larger university.
"She's in her second year of college studying biology."
"He applied to five different colleges."
2
A semi-independent division of a university, with its own students, staff, and buildings.
"Each Oxford college has its own dining hall and traditions."
How to Use College
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place for education beyond high school, or (in the UK) sometimes a school for older teens.
UK vs US
In the US, "college" usually means a university-level institution; in the UK, it more often refers to sixth-form or further-education institutions for 16-18 year olds, or to a subdivision of a university like Oxford or Cambridge.
Common pairings
go to college
college degree
college student
Word Forms
colleges plural
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She's in her second year of _____ studying biology.
Etymology
From Old French college, from Latin collegium, "a group of colleagues" — related to the word colleague.