salon

American  

[suh-lon, sa-lawn] / səˈlɒn, saˈlɔ̃ /

noun

• salons
  plural

1. a drawing room or reception room in a large house.

2. an assembly of guests in such a room, especially an assembly, common during the 17th and 18th centuries, consisting of the leaders in society, art, politics, etc.

3. a hall or place used for the exhibition of works of art.

4. a shop, business, or department of a store offering a specific product or service related to fashion, hairdressing, or beauty.

   a bridal salon;

   a hair salon;

   a beauty salon.

5. (initial capital letter) (in France)

   1. the Salon, an annual exhibition of works of art by living artists, originally held at the Salon d'Apollon: it became, during the 19th century, the focal point of artistic controversy and was identified with academicism and official hostility to progress in art.

   2. a national exhibition of works of art by living artists.

      Salon des Refusés; Salon des Indépendants.

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salon British  

/ ˈsælɒn /

noun

1. a room in a large house in which guests are received

2. an assembly of guests in a fashionable household, esp a gathering of major literary, artistic, and political figures from the 17th to the early 20th centuries

3. a commercial establishment in which hairdressers, beauticians, etc, carry on their businesses

   beauty salon

4. 1. a hall for exhibiting works of art

   2. such an exhibition, esp one showing the work of living artists

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salon Cultural  

1. A periodic gathering of persons noted in literature, philosophy, the fine arts, or similar areas, held at one person's home. Salons thrived in the Enlightenment.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• salons
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of salon

First recorded in 1705–15; from French, from Italian salone, equivalent to sal(a) “hall” (from Germanic; compare Old English sæl, Old Saxon seli, German Saal, Old Norse salr ) + -one augmentative suffix

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Explanation

Use the noun salon when you talk about the place you get your hair cut. A salon is a good place to get a perm or highlights, to get your nails painted, or just to get a trim. A salon is like a barber shop, only fancier. Most salons offer all kinds of beauty treatments in addition to haircuts, like hair styling and coloring, facials, and massages. Another kind of salon is a formal living room — if you invited guests for tea, you might sit and sip it in your salon. The word salon is French, originally meaning "reception room." In 1800's France, the meaning grew to include a "gathering of elegant people" occurring regularly in such a room.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

salon salons

“The primary suite is a private retreat featuring a fireplace, secluded deck, dual spa-inspired baths, individual walk-in closets, a Sitting Room, and dedicated massage and salon rooms,” the listing adds.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

The alert is over, so the salon turns the pop music back up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

For years, Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon marched herself to a nail salon every fortnight, a routine that started when she was living in New York in the 2000s.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

“Instead of supporting and bolstering her as a creative in their midst, she became their salon host,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

On one of the salon tables there was a blow-dryer.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi

While Antonia's business, A-List Lace Hair, has grown from strength to strength, with salons in London and New York, she has been dealing with the impact of her health conditions.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

They can be used for performances and presentations, child care, companionship and customer service assistance at places such as car dealerships and salons.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

She hid her habit with lash extensions, but when beauty salons closed during Covid Daisy decided to create a serum to help her eyelashes grow back.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Despite the dangers, influencers with hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram or TikTok promote private clinics or beauty salons that experts say are dubious.

From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026

I’d seen plenty salons and barbershops with signs posted that said, “Manicurist Wanted.”

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride

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Related Words

• gallery
• hall
• parlor
• room
• shop
• showroom

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