accommodation

[uh-kom-uh-dey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of accommodating; state or process of being accommodated; adaptation.

2. adjustment of differences; reconciliation.

3. Sociology.,  a process of mutual adaptation between persons or groups, usually achieved by eliminating or reducing hostility, as by compromise or arbitration.

4. anything that supplies a need, want, favor, convenience, etc.

5. Usually accommodations.

   1. lodging.

   2. food and lodging.

   3. a seat, berth, or other facilities for a passenger on a train, plane, etc.

6. readiness to aid or please others; obligingness.

7. a loan.

8. Ophthalmology.,  the automatic adjustment by which the eye adapts itself to distinct vision at different distances.

9. accommodation bill.

accommodation

/ əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. lodging or board and lodging

2. adjustment, as of differences or to new circumstances; adaptation, settlement, or reconciliation

3. something fulfilling a need, want, etc; convenience or facility

4. physiol the automatic or voluntary adjustment of the shape of the lens of the eye for far or near vision

5. willingness to help or oblige

6. commerce a loan, usually made as an act of favour by a bank before formal credit arrangements are agreed

accommodation

1. The adjustment in the focal length of the lens of the eye. Accommodation permits images at different distances to be focused on the retina.

Other Word Forms

• accommodational adjective
• nonaccommodation noun
• preaccommodation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accommodation¹

1595–1605; < Latin accommodātiōn- (stem of accommodātiō ) adjustment. See accommodate, -ion

Example Sentences

“Then it will be sort of a zero-sum game in terms of accommodation,” he said.

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It must be paid by anyone who owns a home, or lives in rented accommodation, unless they are eligible for exemptions.

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The issue is most acute in Glasgow, which has the UK's highest number of refugees in council accommodation.

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Two-thirds of the deaths were of people living in temporary or supported accommodation, while 169 were rough sleeping.

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The pair, who are taking bookings for 2026, say they are looking at converting some of the other barns on the property into accommodation to enable whole wedding parties to stay.

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Related Words

• compromise 
• reconciliation 

When To Use

What does accommodation mean?

Accommodation is commonly used in the plural form (accommodations) to refer to lodging—a place to stay, usually temporarily, as in hotel accommodations.Sometimes, accommodations means both food and lodging, as in This resort is all-inclusive, so all of our accommodations are included in the cost. In the context of transportation, accommodations refers to one’s seat on a vehicle, such as an airplane or train, or one’s lodging on a train or ship that has rooms (cabins) for sleeping.More generally, accommodation means the act of accommodating. The verb accommodate has several meanings.To accommodate someone is to do them a favor or meet their needs or wants in some way. For example: Your constant accommodation of people doesn’t leave any time for yourself.To accommodate a request is to honor it—to do what has been asked. For example: Your accommodation of my special requests has been very kind. The adjective accommodating means eager or willing to help or please in this way.Accommodate can also mean to make or have room for, as in This bus can accommodate up to 50 passengers. Similarly, accommodate can mean to provide someone with a place to stay. For example: Unfortunately, the accommodation of that many people is not possible at this hotel. Example: What were the accommodations like at your hotel? Did your room have a nice view?