caravansary

[kar-uh-van-suh-ree]

noun, plural car·a·van·sa·ries.

(in the Near East) an inn, usually with a large courtyard, for the overnight accommodation of caravans.
any large inn or hotel.

Also car·a·van·se·rai

[kar-uh-van-suh-rahy, -rey] /ˌkær əˈvæn səˌraɪ, -ˌreɪ/.

Origin of caravansary

1590–1600; < French caravanserai < Persian kārwānsarāy, equivalent to kārwān caravan + sarāy mansion, inn

Related formscar·a·van·se·ri·al

[kar-uh-van-seer-ee-uh l] /ˌkær ə vænˈsɪər i əl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for caravanserai

Historical Examples of caravanserai

It then became a question of a square meal at the caravanserai.
On the Heels of De Wet
The Intelligence Officer
The Sultan entered a caravanserai, where he found several merchants.
Eastern Tales by Many Story Tellers
Various
A caravanserai is not ill adapted to the purposes for which it is meant.
Eothen
A. W. Kinglake
Probably the reference is only to a resting-place or caravanserai.
Bible Studies
Joseph M. Wheeler
I will send you a picture of my Caravanserai, into which beasts come in and out.
The Life of Florence Nightingale vol. 1 of 2
Edward Tyas Cook

British Dictionary definitions for caravanserai

caravanserai

caravansary (ˌkærəˈvænsərɪ)

noun plural -rais or -ries

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

Word Origin for caravanserai

C16: from Persian kārwānsarāī caravan inn

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for caravanserai

1590s, carvanzara, "Eastern inn (with a large central court) catering to caravans," ultimately from Persian karwan-sarai, from karwan (see caravan) + sara'i "palace, mansion; inn," from Iranian base *thraya- "to protect" (see seraglio).

caravansary

alternative spelling of caravanserai.