waiting room

American  

[wey-ting room, room] / ˈweɪ tɪŋ ˌrum, ˌrʊm /

noun

1. a room for the use of persons waiting, as in a railroad station or a physician's office.

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waiting room British  

noun

1. a room in which people may wait, as at a railway station, doctor's or dentist's office, etc

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Etymology

Origin of waiting room

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

The watchdog said patients being brought into A&E were being treated in waiting rooms, corridors and in ambulances outside hospital because of a lack of beds.

From BBC

An EU member since 2007, Bulgaria joined the so-called "waiting room" to the single currency in 2020, at the same time as Croatia.

From Barron's

Out the corner of my eye, I noticed this teddy bear chair in one of the waiting rooms we were passing by.

From Los Angeles Times

Not the mellow, easy-listening variety that serves as background music in elevators and waiting rooms.

From Los Angeles Times

But there’s a difference between a doctor who catches something early on a routine checkup, and a doctor who runs into the waiting room yelling, “Cancel my afternoon appointments.”

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• foyer
• reception room
• vestibule