foyer

American  

[foi-er, foi-ey, fwa-yey] / ˈfɔɪ ər, ˈfɔɪ eɪ, fwaˈyeɪ /

noun

plural

foyers

1. the lobby of a theater, hotel, or apartment house.

2. a vestibule or entrance hall in a house or apartment.

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foyer British  

/ ˈfɔɪeɪ, ˈfɔɪə /

noun

1. a hall, lobby, or anteroom, used for reception and as a meeting place, as in a hotel, theatre, cinema, etc

2. (in Britain) a centre providing accommodation and employment training, etc. for homeless young people

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Etymology

Origin of foyer

1855–60; < French: fireplace, hearth (originally a room to which theater audiences went for warmth between the acts) < Gallo-Latin *focārium, equivalent to Latin foc ( us ) hearth ( focus ) + -ārium -arium

Example Sentences

There were so many people celebrating he ended up pushed into the gym foyer.

From Los Angeles Times

Plans to revamp creative and performance spaces, as well as restore the brutalist foyers, Lakeside Terrace and Conservatory, have been given approval by the City of London Corporation which is funding 80% of the work.

From BBC

She ran back to the house and nearly collapsed in the foyer, where the entry clock provided unwelcome news.

From Literature

"Someone I know was in this movie, a soldier, and he died," Yulia shares, when people eventually file out into the foyer.

From BBC

The home’s dramatic double-height foyer leads to an expansive living area, which can be opened to the backyard area, where the pool and exterior dining space are located.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• lobby
• vestibule