campsite

campsite — noun

1. an outdoor location set up for travellers who sleep in tents or vehicles, typica

1.nounB1
Definition

an outdoor location set up for travellers who sleep in tents or vehicles, typically providing shared toilets and taps for washing and drinking

Example

The campsite had hot showers and a small shop for food and drinks.

collocation: campsite + had/has + facilities

Ravi booked a spot at a seaside campsite for the summer holidays.

Common collocations
  • at a campsite
  • in a campsite
  • campsite facilities
  • campsite owner
  • book a campsite
  • leave the campsite
Synonyms
  • campground

    more common in American English for a managed camping area with facilities

  • camping ground

    slightly more old-fashioned, often used in Australian English

Grammar Patterns

campsite + verb (be/have)

at/in a campsite

Usage Note

In British English, a campsite usually refers to a managed area with facilities. The American equivalent is often called a campground, though campsite is also used in the US for a single pitch within a campground.

Common Mistakes

We stayed in a campsite last night.
We stayed at a campsite last night.
Use 'at' (location), not 'in' (enclosed space).
The campsite is a tent.
The campsite has a tent on it.
A campsite is the area, not the tent itself.

2. a single marked area within a larger camping ground, designed for one tent, cara

2.nounB1
Definition

a single marked area within a larger camping ground, designed for one tent, caravan, or camper van to occupy

Example

Each campsite has its own fire pit and a wooden picnic table.

quantifier: each campsite (individual pitch)

Noa chose a campsite near the restrooms so the children could walk there easily.

Common collocations
  • a campsite for two tents
  • book a campsite
  • our campsite was by the river
  • choose a campsite
Synonyms
  • pitch

    the usual British English word for a single tent space within a campsite

  • camping spot

    less formal, used in both British and American English

Grammar Patterns

a campsite for + number + tent(s)

pitch a tent on a campsite

Usage Note

This sense is the main meaning in American English for a single pitch within a campground. In British English, 'pitch' is the more common word for an individual tent spot.

Common Mistakes

We rented a campsite for our holiday.' (ambiguous)
We booked a pitch at a campsite for our holiday.
When you mean a single spot inside a larger campground, use 'pitch' to avoid confusion.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words describe places for camping, but they differ in scope and region. A campsite is the most general term, used worldwide for a managed or unmanaged area where people camp. Campground is the standard American English term for a camping area with facilities such as toilets and showers; in British English it sounds slightly American but is understood. Camping ground is less common today but still used, especially in Australian and New Zealand English, for a large open area where people camp. Pitch is specifically a single tent space within a larger camping area, and is the usual British word for this narrower meaning. For example: 'We found a great campsite in the national park' (general area); 'The campground has fifty pitches for tents' (US, area with pitches); 'We reserved two pitches at the campsite' (UK, individual spots).

campsite ↗campgroundcamping groundpitch ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • campsite facilities
  • campsite owner
  • campsite fees
  • campsite rules
  • campsite location

Phrases

  • book a campsite
  • set up at a campsite
  • leave the campsite
  • stay at a campsite
  • find a campsite

Prepositions

  • at a campsite
  • to a campsite
  • from a campsite

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The word campsite combines camp (from Latin campus 'field') and site (from Latin situs 'place, position'). Camp has been used in English since the 1500s for a place where people stay temporarily in tents. Campsite first appeared in the mid-1800s, becoming common as outdoor recreation and holiday camping grew in popularity, especially in the 20th century.