caravanserai

/ -ˌreɪ; ˌkærəˈvænsəˌraɪ; ˌkærəˈvænsərɪ /

noun

1. (in some Eastern countries esp formerly) a large inn enclosing a courtyard providing accommodation for caravans

Word History and Origins

Origin of caravanserai¹

C16: from Persian kārwānsarāī caravan inn

Example Sentences

Paris, as the old stagers regretfully assure us, was Paris then, and not the caravanserai of all the nations of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Here is a pretentious and fairly comfortable caravanserai, facing a court which is shaded by magnificent plane trees.

From Project Gutenberg

No questions were asked at the barrier; and we rode on quietly till nine o'clock, when we drove under the shed of a caravanserai.

From Project Gutenberg

The lower part of Master Anthony's house was a sort of free hostel, like the caravanserai of the East.

From Project Gutenberg

On the eastern side there is a square courtyard like an Arab caravanserai, where cattle are penned.

From Project Gutenberg