A dormitory is a large building where students live together while attending school or college. Instead of going home each night, students sleep, study, and spend their free time in dormitories, often sharing rooms with one or two roommates.

Most dormitories have long hallways lined with bedrooms, plus shared spaces like bathrooms, lounges, and kitchens. At boarding schools, younger students might live in dorms with supervising adults nearby. At colleges and universities, dorms house many students, creating bustling communities where friendships form quickly. Students decorate their dorm rooms with posters, photos, and personal items to make the small spaces feel like home.

People sometimes shorten dormitory to dorm. You might hear someone say, “I'm heading back to the dorm” or “My dorm is across campus from the library.”

Living in a dormitory can help students develop independence: they may learn to manage their time, respect shared spaces, get along with roommates who have different habits, and build community away from their families.