camp1

 
Pronunciation: /kamp/

noun

  • 1a place with temporary accommodation of huts, tents, or other structures, typically used by soldiers, refugees, or travelling people.
  • a complex of buildings for holiday accommodation, with recreational facilities.
  • (also summer camp) North American a summer holiday programme for children, offering a range of activities: he became the dramatic counselor at camp
  • [mass noun] temporary overnight lodging in tents: we pitched camp at a fine spot
  • Archaeology, British an enclosed or fortified prehistoric site, especially an Iron Age hill fort.
  • 2the supporters of a particular party or doctrine regarded collectively: both the liberal and conservative camps were annoyed by his high-handed manner
  • 3South African a fenced field or enclosed area for grazing.
  • Australian/NZ a place where livestock regularly congregate or where a mustered herd is assembled.

verb

[no object]
  • 1live for a time in a tent, especially while on holiday: holiday parks in which you can camp or stay in a chalet
  • lodge temporarily, especially in an inappropriate or uncomfortable place: we camped out for the night in a mission schoolroom
  • remain persistently in one place: the press will be camping on your doorstep once they get on to this story
  • 2Australian/NZ (of livestock) assemble together for rest.
  • 3 [with object] South African divide (land) and enclose with fences.

Phrases

break camp

take down a tent or the tents of an encampment ready to leave.

Origin:

early 16th century: from French camp, champ, from Italian campo, from Latin campus 'level ground', specifically applied to the Campus Martius in Rome, used for games, athletic practice, and military drill