Definition of college noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

college

noun

ˈkɒlɪdʒ

ˈkɑːlɪdʒ

1 [countable, uncountable] (often in names) (in Britain) a place where students go to study or to receive training after they have left schoola college of further education (= providing education and training for people over 16)a secretarial collegethe Royal College of Arta college course/library/studentShe's at college. see also community college (1), sixth-form college

2 [countable, uncountable] (often in names) (in the US) a university where students can study for a degree after they have left schoolCarleton Collegea college campus/studenta private collegeHe got interested in politics when he was in college.She's away at college in California.He's hoping to go to college next year.3 [countable, uncountable] (Canadian English) a place where you can study for higher or more specialist qualifications after you finish high school4 [countable, uncountable] one of the separate institutions that some British universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, are divided intoKing's College, Cambridgea tour of Oxford collegesMost students live in college.5 (in the US) one of the main divisions of some large universitiesThe history department is part of the College of Arts and Sciences.6 [countable + singular or plural verb] the teachers and/or students of a college7 [countable] (especially in names, in Britain and some other countries) a secondary school, especially one where you must payEton College8 [countable] (usually in names) an organized group of professional people with special interests, duties or powersthe Royal College of Physiciansthe American College of Cardiology see also electoral college

Usage note: EducationLearningacquire/get/lack (an) education/training/(British English) (some) qualificationsreceive/provide somebody with training/tuitiondevelop/design/plan a curriculum/(especially British English) course/(North American English) program/syllabusgive/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminarhold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshopsign up for/take a course/classes/lessonsSchoolgo to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery schoolbe in the first, second, etc. (North American English) grade/(especially British English) year (at school)study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.(British English) leave/finish/drop out of/(North American English) quit school(North American English) graduate high school/collegeProblems at schoolbe the victim/target of bullying(British English) play truant from/(both British English, informal) bunk off/skive off school (= not go to school when you should)(both especially North American English) skip/cut class/school(British English) cheat in/(North American English) cheat on an exam/a testget/be given a detention (for doing something)be expelled from/be suspended from schoolWork and examsdo your homework/(British English) revision/a project on somethingwork on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/(North American English) a paperfinish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies/courseworkhand in/(North American English) turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paperstudy/prepare/(British English) revise/(North American English) review/(North American English, informal) cram for a test/an examtake/(both British English) do/sit a test/an exam(especially British English) mark/(especially North American English) grade homework/a test(British English) do well in/(North American English) do well on/(informal, especially North American English) ace a test/an exampass/fail/(informal, especially North American English) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subjectUniversityapply to/get into/go to/start college/(British English) universityleave/graduate from law school/college/(British English) university (with a degree in computer science)study for/take/(British English) do/complete a law degree/a degree in physics(both North American English) major/minor in biology/philosophyearn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master's degree/a bachelor's degree/a PhD in economics

Usage note: college / universityIn both British English and North American English a college is a place where you can go to study after you leave secondary school. In Britain you can go to a college to study or to receive training in a particular skill. In the US you can study for your first degree at a college. A university offers more advanced degrees in addition to first degrees.In North American English college is often used to mean a university, especially when talking about people who are studying for their first degree. The is not used when you are talking about someone studying there: My son has gone away to college. ◇ ‘ Where did you go to college? ’ ‘ Ohio State University.’In British English you can say: My daughter is at university. In North American English you cannot use university or college in this way. You use it with a or the to mean a particular university or college: I didn’t want to go to a large university.