Definition of college

The word "college" originates from the Latin word "collegium," which means "community" or "society." In the Middle Ages, a collegium referred to a group of people living and studying together, often under the supervision of a spiritual director. This concept evolved into the idea of a group of scholars and teachers coming together to share knowledge and ideas. The first English universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, were founded in the 12th century and were initially residential communities of teachers and students. The term "college" was used to describe these early university communities, which were often centered around a particular subject area or field of study. Over time, the modern concept of a college as an institution of higher education and research developed, and the term "college" came to be used to describe a wide range of educational institutions, from small liberal arts colleges to large research universities.