accommodation
Americannoun
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the act of accommodating; state or process of being accommodated; adaptation.
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adjustment of differences; reconciliation.
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Sociology. a process of mutual adaptation between persons or groups, usually achieved by eliminating or reducing hostility, as by compromise or arbitration.
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anything that supplies a need, want, favor, convenience, etc.
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Usually accommodations.
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food and lodging.
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a seat, berth, or other facilities for a passenger on a train, plane, etc.
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readiness to aid or please others; obligingness.
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a loan.
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Ophthalmology. the automatic adjustment by which the eye adapts itself to distinct vision at different distances.
noun
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lodging or board and lodging
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adjustment, as of differences or to new circumstances; adaptation, settlement, or reconciliation
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something fulfilling a need, want, etc; convenience or facility
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physiol the automatic or voluntary adjustment of the shape of the lens of the eye for far or near vision
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willingness to help or oblige
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commerce a loan, usually made as an act of favour by a bank before formal credit arrangements are agreed
Usage
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?
Other Word Forms
- accommodational adjective
- nonaccommodation noun
- preaccommodation noun
Etymology
Origin of accommodation
1595–1605; < Latin accommodātiōn- (stem of accommodātiō ) adjustment. See accommodate, -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Amelia and her partner take it in turns to stay in their son's room, with the other parent sleeping at Ronald McDonald House which provides accommodation for families.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
Core CPI, which excludes private road transport and accommodation, likely rose 1.3%, up from the 1.0% increase in January, according to the WSJ poll.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
This was changed and councils must now provide temporary accommodation to those who present as homeless, regardless of point of origin.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
More broadly, he added, "Persian Gulf stability ultimately requires some degree of accommodation with Iran."
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
Notwithstanding the price was exorbitant for such hard accommodation, Dr. Trefusis nodded, which movement was imperceptible almost from the palsy of his chill, and we were admitted into the house.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
