campus
Americannoun
-
the grounds, often including the buildings, of a college, university, or school.
-
a college or university.
The large influx of older students radically changed many campuses throughout the country.
-
a division of a university that has its own grounds, buildings, and faculty but is administratively joined to the rest of the university.
-
the world of higher education.
Foundation grants have had a marked effect on the character of the American campus.
-
a large, usually suburban, landscaped business or industrial site.
noun
-
the grounds and buildings of a university
-
the outside area of a college, university, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of campus
1765–75, < Latin: flat place, field, plain
Explanation
The land and various buildings that make up a college are its campus. If you live on campus, you'll be close to your classes. When you hear the word campus, you generally think of a college or university, which include libraries and labs and classrooms and dormitories, all of which make up a campus. Other institutions, including hospitals, high schools, and some companies' office buildings, also have campuses. The word campus is Latin for "a field" or "an expanse surrounded."
Vocabulary lists containing campus
The Vocabulary of College
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for April 27–May 3, 2024
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The First State of Being
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Last fall, Amazon opened an $11 billion campus in rural Indiana dedicated to running AI models for Anthropic.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
“UCPD conducts regular and directed patrols in the area, including increased evening presence, and continues to work with campus partners, student leaders and chapter stakeholders to address concerns and connect students with support,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026
The 18-year-old says the lunch shaming caused him to scout secluded places on his school’s outdoor campus to eat.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
Some fountains are dirty, he added, “and some of the pipes on campus produce water that has, like, extremely high amounts of lead and magnesium.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
The National Guard had been called out to occupy the campus.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
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.
