campus

Pronunciation

campus (two syllables)

• kam

• /k/: voiceless velar plosive (similar to the "k" sound in "key")

• /a/: low central unrounded vowel (similar to the "a" sound in "father")

• /m/: bilabial nasal (similar to the "m" sound in "man")

• pus

• /p/: voiceless bilabial plosive (similar to the "p" sound in "pin")

• /u/: close back rounded vowel (similar to the "oo" sound in "boot")

• /s/: voiceless alveolar fricative (similar to the "s" sound in "sip")

Word Form Variations

The term "campus" is a mass noun. Mass nouns refer to substances or things considered as a whole and typically don't have separate singular and plural forms.

Here's why "campus" is a mass noun:

• It refers to the entire grounds and buildings of a university or college.

• It wouldn't be natural to say things like "one campi" or "many campuses."

• The most natural way to talk about quantities of a campus is by using phrases like:

• A large campus

• Several campuses

• The university's beautiful campus

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Noun:

• Primary Definition: The grounds and buildings of a university, college, or school, often including libraries, lecture halls, dormitories, student centers, dining halls, and green spaces.

• Synonyms: university grounds, college grounds, school grounds, academic complex

• Antonyms: (There are no direct antonyms for "campus" as a noun, but depending on the context, opposites could be terms like online learning platform, off-site location, or distributed learning environment)

• Figurative Definition: A group of buildings and surrounding grounds belonging to a large organisation, resembling a traditional university campus.

• Synonyms: corporate campus, research campus, hospital complex (when referring to multiple buildings)

• Antonyms: N/A (This figurative definition doesn't have a direct opposite)

Examples of Use

1. Book:

Jane felt a pang of nostalgia as she walked through the bustling Harvard Yard, the central campus of Harvard University. (Excerpt from a fictional novel)

2. Newspaper:

The university announced plans to expand the south campus with a new science building. (The New York Times) [Newspapers often use "campus" when referring to specific areas within a university]

3. Online Publication:

A virtual tour of the Stanford campus allows prospective students to explore its iconic landmarks from the comfort of their homes. (College Board website)

4. Entertainment Medium (Movie):

In the movie "Legally Blonde," Elle Woods navigates the social and academic scene of the fictional Harvard Law School campus.

5. Entertainment Medium (Video Game):

Many video games set in universities or high schools allow players to explore the virtual "campus" and interact with characters in different locations. (e.g., Bully, Persona 5)

6. Public Discourse:

During a student protest rally, speakers demanded improvements to campus security measures. (Local news report)

7. Figurative Usage:

Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, is often referred to as a "corporate campus" due to its sprawling complex of buildings and amenities. (Tech news website)

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Campus

1. "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (This quote, while not directly about campuses, speaks to the role of universities which often have campuses)

2. "The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change." - Carl Rogers (Speaks to the lifelong learning fostered on campuses)

3. "The business of America is business." - Calvin Coolidge (This famous quote is often parodied on college campuses with variations like "The business of college is learning")

4. "You don't get what you wish for. You get what you work for." - Colin Powell (Motivational quote often used in commencement speeches delivered on campuses)

5. "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X (Quote highlighting the importance of universities that reside on campuses)

6. "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." - John Dewey (Philosopher whose ideas are often discussed on university campuses)

7. "The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one." - Malcolm Forbes (Another quote that highlights the role of universities on campuses)

8. "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller (Quote that evokes the sense of community and personal growth sometimes found on campuses)

9. "The mind is everything. What you think you become." - Buddha (This quote is often pondered by students exploring their identities on campuses)

10. "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates (Quote that reflects the ongoing pursuit of knowledge on university campuses)

Etymology

The word "campus" comes from the ancient Roman language, Latin. In Latin, "campus" simply meant "field."

The first time anyone used "campus" in English was in the late 1700s to describe a specific field at Princeton University. Back then, universities might have had different names for their various open spaces, like "field" or "yard." Over time, "campus" became the preferred word to describe the entire collection of buildings and grounds that make up a university.

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Campus

• On campus: This simply means being physically located within the grounds of a university or college. (e.g., "I live on campus in a dorm.")

• Off campus: This refers to being outside the university or college grounds. (e.g., "I found an apartment off campus for next semester.")

• Campus life: This encompasses all the aspects of student experience beyond academics, like social activities, clubs, and events. (e.g., "She's involved in a lot of campus life.")

• College town: A town that has grown significantly due to the presence of a large university or college and caters to student needs. (e.g., "This college town has a vibrant nightlife scene.")

• Hit the books (informal): To study intensively, often associated with the quiet spaces found on campuses like libraries. (e.g., "It's finals week, so I'll be hitting the books all weekend.")

• Campus crush (informal): A romantic interest you develop for someone you see around campus. (e.g., "I think I have a campus crush on the cute barista at the coffee shop.")

• Campus ministry: Religious organisations that provide services and support to students on campus. (e.g., "The campus ministry offers counselling and faith-based activities.")

• Campus security: The department responsible for maintaining safety and order on campus grounds. (e.g., "Campus security responded quickly to the report of a suspicious person.")

Posts Related to Campus

Source Information

Definition of campus from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.