1. A large inn or hostel with a central courtyard, traditionally built in Middle Eastern and Central Asian regions to provide lodging and shelter for merchants and travelers with their caravans.
Usage: Also spelled caravanserai.; Historical and cultural term; commonly found in travel and history contexts.
2. A large, busy, or crowded place of lodging or gathering; by extension, any bustling inn or hotel.
Usage: Figurative or extended use.

Examples

• The ancient caravansary along the Silk Road provided shelter for merchants traveling between Asia and Europe.
• Travelers would rest their camels and horses at the caravansary before continuing their journey across the desert.
• The restored caravansary now serves as a museum showcasing the history of trade routes.
• During the medieval period, caravansaries were essential stops for long-distance commerce.
• The bustling caravansary was filled with merchants, animals, and goods from distant lands.
• We stayed at a traditional caravansary that had been converted into a charming hotel.