hotel

1 of 2

noun

ho·​tel hō-ˈtel How to pronounce hotel (audio)
ˈhō-ˌtel
Synonyms of hotelnext
: an establishment that provides lodging and usually meals, entertainment, and various personal services for the public : inn
hoteldom
hō-ˈtel-dəm How to pronounce hotel (audio)
ˈhō-ˌtel-
noun

Hotel

2 of 2

communications code word

—used as a code word for the letter h

Synonyms of hotel

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Noun

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Examples of hotel in a Sentence

Noun check out of a hotel for their 50th anniversary they stayed at one of the finest hotels in San Francisco
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Youth sports fields and housing, and potentially hotel development. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Like most hotels in this part of Maine, Inn at Peaks Island tends to be more about the scenery than the actual accommodations. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 Others, meanwhile, are convinced that a new stadium can only help to bring new business, with visitors filling hotel rooms at the adjacent Westin Kansas City at Crown Center and nearby Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 On top of cash-back rewards on everyday purchases, Savor Cash Rewards earns 5% back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. — Dan Avery,lily Wolfson, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hotel

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French hôtel, going back to Old French hostel, ostel "lodging, accommodation" — more at hostel entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1687, in the meaning defined above

Communications Code Word

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hotel was in 1687

Phrases Containing hotel

Rhymes for hotel

See All Rhymes for hotel

Browse Nearby Words

Hotei
hotel
Hotel
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Cite this Entry

“Hotel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hotel. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hotel

noun
ho·​tel hō-ˈtel How to pronounce hotel (audio)
: an establishment that provides lodging and often meals, entertainment, and personal services for its guests
Etymology

Noun

from French hôtel "hotel," from early French hostel "a place for travelers to spend the night," derived from Latin hospitalis "of a guest, showing hospitality," from hospit-, hospes "host, stranger, guest" — related to hospital, hospitality

More from Merriam-Webster on hotel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hotel

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