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
That means the teams will have full access, with no other fans or visitors in the hotel outside of the team and coaches. — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026 Stillwell’s, a steakhouse located inside the hotel, also makes an appearance in the same sequence. — Brayden Garcia july 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026 The western part of the neighborhood beyond the train station is primarily residential, but the area around the basilica is home to some upscale hotels, restaurants, and bars. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026 The city’s hospitality wage, which will raise hourly wages at hotels and some entertainment venues to $25 an hour by 2030, was approved last year and took effect July 1. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 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

hot-draw
hotel
Hotel
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Cite this Entry

“Hotel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hotel. Accessed 10 Jul. 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

Nglish: Translation of hotel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hotel

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