# camp

/ˈkæmp/ (US) · /kˈæmp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/camp
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. temporary outdoor lodging

noun · CEFR A2

a place where people live for a short time in tents or simple shelters.

For teachers: a site providing temporary accommodation, typically consisting of tents or rudimentary structures.

- We set up our camp near the river before it got dark.
- The hikers established a temporary camp in the valley, ensuring they were well-sheltered from the rising winds before nightfall.

### 2. military base

noun · CEFR B1

a place where soldiers live and train.

For teachers: a permanent or semi-permanent military installation used for housing and training personnel.

- The soldiers returned to the camp after their morning exercises.
- The military camp was situated strategically on the plateau, providing a clear vantage point over the surrounding territory.

### 3. organised holiday program

noun · CEFR A2

a place or program where children go for activities during their holidays.

For teachers: an organised program or facility providing recreational or educational activities, often for children during school breaks.

- My daughter is going to a music camp for two weeks this summer.
- The university hosts an annual science camp designed to encourage secondary school students to pursue careers in engineering.

### 4. ideological group

noun · CEFR B2

a group of people who share the same strong ideas or political beliefs.

For teachers: a group of people supporting a particular ideology, policy, or set of principles, often in opposition to another group.

- The party is divided into two camps regarding the new tax law.
- The debate split the faculty into two distinct camps, with neither side willing to compromise on the proposed curriculum changes.

### 5. exaggerated style

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a style of art or behavior that is funny because it is so extreme or artificial.

For teachers: an aesthetic style or mode of behaviour characterised by deliberate exaggeration, theatricality, or ironic artifice.

- The movie is full of camp and doesn't take itself seriously.
- The performance was a masterclass in camp, blending high fashion with absurdly dramatic gestures to satirise celebrity culture.

### 6. to stay in a tent

verb · CEFR A2

to stay in a tent or shelter while on holiday.

For teachers: to live or sleep in a tent or similar temporary accommodation, typically for recreational purposes.

- We decided to camp in the woods instead of staying at a hotel.
- The family preferred to camp in remote areas where they could experience the wilderness without the intrusion of modern amenities.

### 7. theatrical or flamboyant

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

behaving in a very exaggerated or theatrical way to be funny.

For teachers: characterised by ostentatious flamboyance or theatricality, often in a self-parodying manner.

- He gave a very camp performance that made everyone laugh.
- The director chose a camp aesthetic for the production, using neon colours and over-the-top costumes to create a surreal atmosphere.

## Examples

- We set up our camp near the river.
- The children spend two weeks every summer at a sports camp in the mountains.
- The archaeological team established a base camp at the foot of the ridge to store their equipment and coordinate the daily excavation efforts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.