What does "college" mean?

1. (higher education) a place where you study after finishing high school to get a degree or learn a skill. 2. (UK/Australian secondary school) in some countries, a name for a private or high-level secondary school. 3. (professional body) an official group of people who have the same job or goals. 4. (electoral group) a specific group of people chosen to vote for a leader, like a president.

How do you use "college"?

Often used in the titles of medical or legal organisations.

Is it correct to say "I am going to the college."?

No — say "I am going to college.". In American English, when talking about being a student, 'college' is used without 'the', similar to 'school' or 'church'.

college

US //ˈkɑɫɪdʒ// UK //kˈɒlɪdʒ// col·lege

1 higher education (n.)
A1 Beginner

a place where you study after finishing high school to get a degree or learn a skill.

an institution of higher education that grants degrees or provides specialised professional or vocational training.

Example

My brother is starting college in September to study engineering.

Example

After graduating from high school, she spent four years at a liberal arts college before applying to medical school.
Pitfall

I am going to the college.

I am going to college.

In American English, when talking about being a student, 'college' is used without 'the', similar to 'school' or 'church'.
2 UK/Australian secondary school (n.)
B1 Intermediate British English Dialect

in some countries, a name for a private or high-level secondary school.

a term used in various Commonwealth countries to denote a secondary school, often one that is private or independent.

Example

In many parts of Australia, children attend a local college for their final years of school.

Example

The prestigious independent college has a long history of academic excellence and competitive sporting achievements in the region.
- high school
- secondary school

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 professional body (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

an official group of people who have the same job or goals.

an organised body of persons with shared functions, privileges, or professions, often acting as a regulatory or representative entity.

Example

The Royal College of Surgeons sets the standards for doctors in the country.

Example

Membership in the college is mandatory for any practitioner wishing to operate legally within the provincial jurisdiction.

Usage

Often used in the titles of medical or legal organisations.
4 electoral group (n.)
C1 Advanced American English Technical Politics

a specific group of people chosen to vote for a leader, like a president.

a set of electors who are selected to elect a candidate to a particular office.

Example

In the United States, the president is officially chosen by the Electoral College.

Example

Critics of the current system argue that the electoral college can sometimes produce a result that contradicts the national popular vote.
- electorate

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *leǵ-der.? Proto-Indo-European *legʰ-der.? Proto-Italic *lēks Latin lēx Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin lēgō Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂ Proto-Italic *-ā Latin -a Latin collēga Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ium Latin collēgiumbor. Old French college Middle French collegebor. Middle English college English college From Middle English college, from Middle French college, from Old French college, from Latin collēgium. Doublet of collegium.