universidad

/uniβeɾsiˈðað/
nounBeginner
formal

A higher education institution where students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees, conduct research, and engage in academic activities.

La universidad ofrece programas en ingeniería, medicina y humanidades.

The university offers programs in engineering, medicine, and humanities.

💡

In Spanish-speaking countries, 'universidad' typically refers to a public or private institution of higher learning.

Collocations

matricularse en la universidadto enroll in universitygraduarse de la universidadto graduate from universityvida universitariauniversity life

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

ir a la universidadphrase
to go to university
la universidad públicaphrase
public university

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Usage

In formal contexts, 'universidad' is used to refer to the institution itself, while in informal speech, it may refer to the experience of attending university.

Gold Rule

Capitalization

In Spanish, 'universidad' is not capitalized unless it is part of a proper noun (e.g., 'Universidad de Salamanca').

📖Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'universitas', meaning 'the whole, a body of persons'. The term originally referred to a corporation or guild, later specifically to academic institutions.

📝Usage Notes

In some contexts, 'universidad' can refer to the entire institution, including its buildings and facilities, as well as the community of students and faculty.

Word Breakdown

univers-
whole, entire
root
+
-idad
quality or state of
suffix
Diccionario Español-Inglés