community college

American  

noun

1. a nonresidential junior college established to serve a specific community and typically supported in part by local government funds.

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community college British  

noun

1. another term for village college

2. a nonresidential college offering two-year courses of study

3. an adult education college with trade classes

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Etymology

Origin of community college

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50

Example Sentences

Somewhere between Rue and Cassie on the desperation scale sits Elle Fanning’s Margo Millet, an eager community college student whose money troubles start when she falls for one of the oldest tricks in the book.

From Salon • May 4, 2026

Her accomplishments include leading a groundbreaking campaign to make the city’s community college tuition free.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

I spent a year attending community college philosophy classes, and some of the best nights of my life have been spent standing outside a strip-mall GameStop.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

Gurule started community college after graduation and studied theater, thinking she would like to act.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

He'd left Lynbrook for a program called "middle college," where high school seniors could take classes at the local community college, and his absence finally allowed me to focus on other guys.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi