balcony

American  

[bal-kuh-nee] / ˈbæl kə ni /

noun

• balconies
  plural

1. a balustraded or railed elevated platform projecting from the wall of a building.

2. a gallery in a theater.

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balcony British  

/ ˈbælkənɪ /

noun

1. a platform projecting from the wall of a building with a balustrade or railing along its outer edge, often with access from a door or window

2. a gallery in a theatre or auditorium, above the dress circle

3. any circle or gallery in a theatre or auditorium including the dress circle

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• balconied
  adjective
• unbalconied
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• balconies
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of balcony

1610–20; < Italian balcone balcony, floor-length window < Langobardic (compare Old High German balc ( h ) o, accusative singular balcon beam; see balk); sense extended from the beam over an aperture to the aperture itself

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Compare meaning

How does balcony compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• veranda vs. balcony
• mezzanine vs. balcony

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Explanation

A balcony is a porch or platform that extends from an upper floor of a building. Your apartment might have a balcony with a view of a city park. Most balconies have railings around them to protect people from tumbling off, and many balconies provide an interesting view. You might linger on the balcony of your hotel room in Hawaii, enjoying the warm air and the distant glimpse of the ocean it gives you. Balcony comes from the Italian balcone, which in turn comes from balcone, or "scaffold." The root is most likely Germanic, possibly related to the Old English balca, "beam or ridge."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

balcony balconies

The apartment where the suspect lived was quiet, with the balcony curtains drawn.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

The minor fell from a balcony at Benjamin Franklin High School, police said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

The primary suite has access to a private balcony, a built-in tub, and a separate shower.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

Half of the two-bedroom flat and balcony on the 17th floor had been destroyed, it added.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

There was movement in the balcony to my right, and I glanced up to see the president and his wife taking their seats with their friends Clara Harris and Major Henry Rathbone.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

The “Falstaffian” Gato stars in many of the book’s short, thoughtful chapters, now listening to Maria Callas on the stereo, now executing a death-defying stroll between adjacent balconies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Under the redevelopment plans, there will be a new lift and staircase in the conservatory to allow public access to raised balconies.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

The seven-sided abode features an interior court, private balconies, a catering-style kitchen with light gray cabinets and a dining nook, and a living room accompanied by glass walls and light-wood floors.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

Aerial photos show that the contemporary-style home is five stories, with four levels of balconies and a pool overlooking the beach below.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

Reyna eyed the balconies, half expecting luminous shapes to flicker at the railing.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

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Related Words

• box
• gallery
• mezzanine
• platform
• porch
• stoop
• terrace
• veranda

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