# college

/ˈkɑɫɪdʒ/ (US) · /kˈɒlɪdʒ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. higher education

noun · CEFR A1

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

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

- My brother is starting college in September to study engineering.
- After graduating from high school, she spent four years at a liberal arts college before applying to medical school.

### 2. UK/Australian secondary school

noun · CEFR B1 · British English · Dialect

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

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

- In many parts of Australia, children attend a local college for their final years of school.
- The prestigious independent college has a long history of academic excellence and competitive sporting achievements in the region.

### 3. professional body

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Technical

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

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

- In the United States, the president is officially chosen by the Electoral College.
- Critics of the current system argue that the electoral college can sometimes produce a result that contradicts the national popular vote.

## Examples

- She wants to go to college to study history.
- After graduating from high school, he applied to several local colleges to stay close to his family.
- The local community college offers a diverse range of vocational courses designed to bridge the gap between secondary education and the professional workforce.

---

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.