community college

American  

noun

1. a nonresidential junior college established to serve a specific community and typically supported in part by local government funds.

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community college British  

noun

1. another term for village college

2. a nonresidential college offering two-year courses of study

3. an adult education college with trade classes

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Etymology

Origin of community college

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50

Example Sentences

He did a year of community college, worked as a water-meter reader and met his wife working at Applebee’s before moving to Chicago to do stand-up, then to New York in 2004.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Selivra spent part of his childhood in foster care and, as a teenager, was homeless and slept in his car for more than a year before enrolling in community college, he told The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

The lieutenant governor also serves on boards that oversee the University of California, California State University and community college systems, and can be called upon to break a tie in the state Senate.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

She persevered and graduated from a high school special education program, then attempted community college.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

That summer, Adam was working at the center part-time while going to community college, where he was studying business.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles