* An educational institution: This is the most common meaning. It's a place where people, typically children and young adults, go to learn. This includes various levels like primary school (elementary school), secondary school (middle school and high school), and further education (college, university). These institutions provide structured learning environments with teachers, classrooms, and curricula.
* A specific building or campus: You might say, "I went to my school to pick up my child." Here, "school" refers to the physical building where the educational institution operates.
* A period of instruction: You could say, "That was a tough school of experience." Here, "school" is used metaphorically to refer to a period of rigorous or challenging learning, often through practical experience.
* A group of fish: In a less common usage, a "school" refers to a large group of fish swimming together.
The meaning of "school" depends entirely on the context in which it's used.