n. 1 an establishment for further or higher education, sometimes part of a university. 2 an establishment for specialized professional education (business college; college of music; naval college). 3 the buildings or premises of a college (lived in college). 4 the students and teachers in a college. 5 Brit. a public school. 6 an organized body of persons with shared functions and privileges (College of Physicians). College of Arms (in the UK) a corporation recording lineage and granting arms. college of education Brit. a training college for schoolteachers. college pudding Brit. a small baked or steamed suet pudding with dried fruit. collegial adj.
[ ME f. OF college or L collegium f. collega (as COLLEAGUE) ]