dormitory

housing

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

A dormitory, often shortened to "dorm," is a type of housing, typically found on college campuses or in other communal living situations. These rooms are designed to house multiple individuals, providing a place for them to sleep and live. The term "dormitory" is the formal word, while "dorm" and "dorms" are informal variations commonly used in everyday language.1234

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

boarding school
Features of boarding schools
Students reside in study-bedrooms or dormitories and have access to a variety of shared spaces: dining rooms, libraries, and common rooms. Other facilities may include gymnasiums, music rooms, and sports fields, among others. Many boarding schools, especially in Europe, were set up by religious orders or missionaries or through royal…
Read More
Students reside in study-bedrooms or dormitories and have access to a variety of shared spaces: dining rooms, libraries, and common rooms. Other facilities may include gymnasiums, music rooms, and sports fields, among others. Many boarding schools, especially in Europe, were set up by religious orders or missionaries or through royal…
Read More