A dormitory (dorm) or hall of residence or hostel, is a building primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students. In the United States dorm is the most common term, which comes originally from the Latin word dormitorium. On the other hand, in the United Kingdom the term hall is more usual, especially in a university context. A dormitory can also be a single room containing several beds – see Sleeping dormitories.