# dormitory

/ˈdɔɹməˌtɔɹi/ (US) · /dˈɔːmɪtəɹˌi/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dormitory
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a large room with many beds where people sleep, or a building at a college where students live.

For teachers: a large bedroom containing numerous beds for several people, or a residential building providing sleeping quarters for students or staff at an institution.

## Examples

- I live in a college dormitory with three other students.
- The university built a new dormitory to house the growing number of international students arriving each semester.
- While the historic dormitory offered a sense of tradition, many students preferred the modern apartments for their increased privacy and updated kitchen facilities.

## Usage notes

- Often shortened to 'dorm' in informal American English.

---

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.