campus
KAM-puhs
Campus (noun) means the grounds and buildings of a school, college, or university. Example: “The new library sits at the heart of the campus.”
noun
1
The grounds and buildings of a school, college, or university.
"The new library sits at the heart of the campus."
"Students walked between lectures across the leafy campus."
"There is a small cafe on campus where students meet between classes."
verb
1
To restrict a student to the school grounds as a punishment.
"He was campused for a week after missing curfew."
"The headteacher campused him for a week after the prank."
"If you break the rule again, they will campus you for the weekend."
How to use campus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe physical site of a college or university, including its buildings and grounds.
Common pairings
on campus
campus life
university campus
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Word forms
- Plural
- campuses, campusses, campi
- Third person singular
- campuses, campusses
- Past tense
- campused, campussed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new library sits at the heart of the _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin campus, "field", first applied to a college grounds at Princeton University in the 1770s.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for campus
See all rhymes for campus →Frequently asked questions
What does “campus” mean?
The word “campus” means the grounds and buildings of a school, college, or university. In plain terms, the physical site of a college or university, including its buildings and grounds.
How do you pronounce “campus”?
“Campus” is pronounced KAM-puhs (/ˈkæmpəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “campus” in a sentence?
Here is “campus” used in a sentence: “The new library sits at the heart of the campus.”
What part of speech is “campus”?
Depending on how it is used, “campus” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “campus” come from?
The word “campus” dates back to around 1770 and comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin campus, "field", first applied to a college grounds at Princeton University in the 1770s.
Is “campus” a common word?
“Campus” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “campus” have?
“Campus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the grounds and buildings of a school, college, or university.
What is the difference between a campus and a university?
A university is the institution itself, the organization that teaches, awards degrees, and employs staff. A campus is the physical place where it sits: the grounds, buildings, and facilities. One university can spread across several campuses in different locations, while a single campus houses the classrooms, libraries, and halls people actually use.
What does on-campus and off-campus mean?
On-campus refers to anything located within the university's grounds and buildings, such as on-campus housing, dining, or events. Off-campus means beyond those grounds, like a rented flat in the surrounding town or a job elsewhere. Students often weigh on-campus convenience against off-campus independence when deciding where to live.
What is usually found on a campus?
A typical campus brings together everything students and staff need in one place: lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, and libraries, alongside residence halls or dormitories, dining areas, sports facilities, and green spaces. Larger campuses may also include health centers, theaters, and administrative offices, forming a small community of their own.
Can a university have more than one campus?
Yes. Many universities operate several campuses, often a main campus plus smaller satellite or branch campuses in other towns or even countries. Each campus has its own grounds and buildings but belongs to the same institution, letting the university reach more students and offer programs in different locations.
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