accommodation

noun

ac·​com·​mo·​da·​tion ə-ˌkä-mə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce accommodation (audio)
1
: something supplied for convenience or to satisfy a need: such as
a
: lodging, food, and services or traveling space and related services
usually used in plural
tourist accommodations on the boat
overnight accommodations
b
: a public conveyance (such as a train) that stops at all or nearly all points
c
: loan
2
: the act of accommodating someone or something : the state of being accommodated: such as
a
: the providing of what is needed or desired for convenience
changed his schedule for the accommodation of his clients
b
: adaptation, adjustment
an accommodation to temporary conditions
c
: a reconciliation of differences : settlement
Negotiators felt that an accommodation with the union was possible.
d
: the automatic adjustment of the eye for seeing at different distances effected chiefly by changes in the convexity of the crystalline lens
also : the range over which such adjustment is possible
accommodational adjective

Examples of accommodation in a Sentence

They weren't sure if they could provide food and accommodations for the whole group. The accommodations on board the boat are a bit cramped. He hoped to reach an accommodation with the new owners. Negotiators were convinced that accommodation with the union was possible. He changed his schedule as an accommodation to his clients. Changes were made for the accommodation of differing viewpoints.
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.
The property consists of a lighthouse built in 1874, a five-room inn that serves dinner and breakfast to guests, and a three-bedroom cottage used as the living accommodations for the innkeepers. Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2024 The City of Detroit opened warming centers last month with 100 extra emergency shelter beds, providing sleeping accommodations, two meals and showers. Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 7 Dec. 2024 The accommodations at the Smith Fork Ranch are a series of historic log homes and cabins that date back to 1928 but were updated in 2024. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2024 For several years, my wife and I have hosted a large, somewhat elaborate holiday open house, complete with a lot of homemade dishes, champagne, activities and accommodations for children. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accommodation 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin accommodātiōn-, accommodātiō "act of fitting or adapting, willingness to oblige," from accommodāre "to accommodate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accommodation was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near accommodation

Cite this Entry

“Accommodation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accommodation. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

accommodation

noun
ac·​com·​mo·​da·​tion ə-ˌkäm-ə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce accommodation (audio)
1
a
: something supplied that is useful and handy
b
plural : lodging and meals or traveling space and related services
overnight accommodations
2
: the act of accommodating : the state of being accommodated
3
: the automatic adjustment of the eye for seeing at different distances
4
: an adjustment of differences : settlement

Medical Definition

accommodation

noun
ac·​com·​mo·​da·​tion ə-ˌkäm-ə-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce accommodation (audio)
: an adaptation or adjustment especially of a bodily part (as an organ): as
a
: the automatic adjustment of the eye for seeing at different distances effected chiefly by changes in the convexity of the crystalline lens
b
: the range over which such adjustment is possible

More from Merriam-Webster on accommodation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!