Etymology Map
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Campus

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the grounds and buildings of a university

Where does the word "campus" come from? It comes from Latin campus, adopted directly into English (1770s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
campus
Latin · ancient
"field"
the Campus Martius in Rome was a field for military exercises; the root of 'camp' and 'champion'
2
Stage 2 of 2
campus
English · 1770s
"university grounds"
first used at Princeton for the college grounds
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Read the full story

Campus’s story begins in Latin: campus meant “field.” The Campus Martius in Rome was a field for military exercises; the root of 'camp' and 'champion'. It reached English by 1770s as campus. First used at Princeton for the college grounds. Today, campus means the grounds and buildings of a university.