A college (Latin: collegium) is an educational institution or a constituent part of one. Usage of the word college varies in English-speaking nations. A college may be a degree-awarding tertiary educational institution, a part of a collegiate university, or an institution offering vocational education. In the United States, “college” formally refers to a constituent part of a university, but generally “college” and “university” are used interchangeably,college noun (EDUCATION) – definition in British English Dictionary & Thesaurus – Cambridge Dictionary Online whereas in Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and other former and present Commonwealth nations, “college” may refer to a secondary or high school, a college of further education, a training institution that awards trade qualifications, or a constituent part of a university. (See this comparison of British and American English educational terminology for further information.)