1. institutions of higher education that grant degrees, especially undergraduate degrees
2. divisions within a university that focus on specific subjects or fields of study
3. organized groups of people with shared professional interests or authority
Usage: formal

Examples

• Many students apply to several colleges before choosing where to attend.
• Community colleges offer affordable education and job training programs.
• The university has separate colleges for engineering, business, and liberal arts.
• She visited three colleges during her senior year of high school.
• State colleges typically cost less than private institutions.
• The college of cardinals meets to elect a new pope.
• Online colleges have become increasingly popular in recent years.