hostel

[ hos-tl ]

noun

1. Also called youth hostel. an inexpensive, supervised lodging place for young people on bicycle trips, hikes, etc.
2. (formerly) a residence for the exclusive use of boarding Indigenous students, separate from but close to any of a series of day schools in northern Canada that were operated or funded by the federal government and were themselves open to students of any ethnicity. residential school ( def 2 ).
3. British. a student residence at a university or boarding school.
4. an inn.

verb (used without object)

, hos·teled, hos·tel·ing or (especially British) hos·telled, hos·tel·ling.

1. to travel, lodging each night at a hostel.

hostel

/ ˈhɒstəl /

noun

1. a building providing overnight accommodation, as for the homeless, etc
2. See youth hostel
3. a supervised lodging house for nurses, workers, etc
4. archaic.
   another word for hostelry

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostel¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English (h)ostel, from Old French, from Late Latin hospitāle “guest room”; hospital

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostel¹

C13: from Old French, from Medieval Latin hospitāle hospice; see hospital

Example Sentences

On the night she was poisoned, Simone and her friends drank six vodka shots served by the hostel, according to the newspaper.

From BBC

All of them had been staying at the Nana Backpackers hostel.

From BBC

Mr Hutson was found dead in his bedroom at the hostel on 13 November with several empty glasses nearby.

From BBC

All the victims stayed at The Nana Backpackers hostel, which is now closed.

From BBC

What we do know is all the victims stayed at the same place, The Nana Backpackers hostel.

From BBC

Related Words

• hotel
• inn