caravansary

[kar-uh-van-suh-ree] /ˌkær əˈvæn sə ri/
noun, plural caravansaries.
1.
(in the Near East) an inn, usually with a large courtyard, for the overnight accommodation of caravans.
2.
any large inn or hotel.
Also, caravanserai
[kar-uh-van-suh-rahy, -rey] /ˌkær əˈvæn səˌraɪ, -ˌreɪ/ (Show IPA).
Origin
1590-1600; < French caravanserai < Persian kārwānsarāy, equivalent to kārwān caravan + sarāy mansion, inn
Related forms
caravanserial
[kar-uh-van-seer-ee-uh l] /ˌkær ə vænˈsɪər i əl/ (Show IPA), adjective
British Dictionary definitions for caravanserai

caravanserai

/ˌkærəˈvænsəˌraɪ; -ˌreɪ/
noun (pl) -rais, -ries
1.
(in some Eastern countries esp formerly) a large inn enclosing a courtyard providing accommodation for caravans
Word Origin
C16: from Persian kārwānsarāī caravan inn
Word Origin and History for caravanserai
n.

1590s, carvanzara, "Eastern inn (with a large central court) catering to caravans," ultimately from Persian karwan-sarai, from karwan (see caravan) + sara'i "palace, mansion; inn," from Iranian base *thraya- "to protect" (see seraglio).

caravansary

n.

alternative spelling of caravanserai.