u·ni·ver·si·ty / ˌyoōnəˈvərsətē/ • n. (pl. -ties) an educational institution designed for instruction, examination, or both, of students in many branches of advanced learning, conferring degrees in various faculties, and often embodying colleges and similar institutions: [in names] Oxford University the University of California | [as adj.] the university buildings a university professor. ∎  the members of this collectively. ∎  the grounds and buildings of such an institution.PHRASES: at university chiefly Brit. studying at a university.the university of life the experience of life regarded as a means of instruction.

university Institution of higher learning. Universities grew from the studia generalia of the 12th century, which provided education for priests and monks and were attended by students from all parts of Europe. In the 11th century, Bologna became an important centre of legal studies. Other great studia generalia were founded in the mid-12th century at Paris, Oxford, and Cambridge. The first Scottish university was founded at St Andrews in c.1412; the first Irish university at Dublin (Trinity College) in 1591. The oldest US university is Harvard, founded in 1636.

university body of teachers and scholars engaged in the higher branches of learning in a certain place. XIV. — (O)F. université — L. ūniversitās the whole, the whole number (of), the universe, (in later juridical lang.) society, corporation, f. ūniversus; see UNIVERSE, -ITY.