1 a : a place that is usually far away from cities and that has tents, small houses, etc., that people can live in for a short period of time [count] ▪ Fishing camps are located all along the river. ▪ army camps ▪ a refugee camp [noncount] ▪ The soldiers were confined to camp. ▪ The hikers decided to pitch/make camp just before sunset. ▪ They set up camp for the night. — see also boot camp, concentration camp, death camp, labor camp, prison camp
b : a town that has been set up so people can live there and work nearby
▪ a logging/mining camp 2 a : a place usually in the mountains or by a lake where young people can do different activities during the summer [noncount] ▪ With the kids away at camp, the house is very quiet. ▪ The children have fond memories of summer camp. [count] ▪ a music camp ▪ There are several day camps [=camps where children spend the day and then return home at the end of the day] in the area. — often used before another noun ▪ a camp counselor/director
b : a place where athletes train before the beginning of a season [count] ▪ The sports writer visited a few training camps. [noncount] ▪ Our star pitcher injured his arm in camp this spring. 3 [count] : a group of people who support or believe in certain ideas
▪ There are two proposals to consider, one from each camp. ▪ the Democratic/Republican camp ▪ Even within the conservative camp, there is quite a wide range of opinion. ▪ We are in the same camp. [=we have the same opinions, ideas, etc.]