# campus

/ˈkæmpəs/ (US) · /kˈæmpəs/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. grounds of an institution

noun · CEFR B1

the area of land where the buildings of a university, college, or large company are located.

For teachers: the grounds and buildings of a university, college, or other institution, such as a hospital or corporate headquarters.

- The university campus has a lot of green space and a modern library.
- The tech giant's sprawling corporate campus includes several cafeterias, a fitness centre, and extensive walking trails for employees.

### 2. to restrict movement

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to punish a student by not letting them leave the school grounds.

For teachers: to restrict a student to the grounds of a school or university as a disciplinary measure.

- He was campused for a week after he missed his curfew.
- The headmaster decided to campus the entire dormitory after the late-night prank caused significant damage to the common room.

### 3. climbing technique

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to climb using only your hands and arms without using your feet.

For teachers: to climb without using one's feet, typically on a specialized training board or steep overhang.

- She managed to campus the last few moves of the route because there were no good footholds.
- Advanced climbers often campus the overhanging section of the wall to build explosive upper-body strength and finger power.

Usage: often used in the context of bouldering or training on a 'campus board'

## Examples

- The new library is in the center of the campus.
- Students are encouraged to live on campus during their first year to help them make friends and join clubs.
- While the main campus houses the humanities and social sciences, the medical school is located in a separate facility downtown to be closer to the teaching hospitals.

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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.