Etymology Map
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Camp

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a place with temporary shelters

Where does the word "camp" come from? It comes from Latin campus, passing through Italian before entering English (1520s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
campus
Latin · ancient
"field"
the Campus Martius was Rome's military drill field
2
Stage 2 of 3
campo
Italian · 1500s
"military field"
an army's field of encampment; came into English via French 'camp'
3
Stage 3 of 3
camp
English · 1520s
"military camp"
'camp' as theatrical exaggeration dates from 1909
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Read the full story

Camp’s story begins in Latin: campus meant “field.” The Campus Martius was Rome's military drill field. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Italian as campo. An army's field of encampment; came into English via French 'camp'. It reached English by 1520s as camp. 'camp' as theatrical exaggeration dates from 1909. Today, camp means a place with temporary shelters.