ballroom

American  

[bawl-room, -room] / ˈbɔlˌrum, -ˌrʊm /

noun

1. a large room, as in a hotel or resort, with a polished floor for dancing.

---

ballroom British  

/ -ˌrʊm, ˈbɔːlˌruːm /

noun

1. a large hall for dancing

---

Etymology

Origin of ballroom

First recorded in 1730–40; ball ² + room

Explanation

A ballroom is a room that has enough space for many people to dance. Traditionally, a ballroom has either a hardwood or marble floor. Most private houses are built without ballrooms these days, but it was once common for a grand home or mansion to include a special room for throwing dance parties. These ballrooms were large, with high ceilings, and could accommodate a live band and many dancers. Ballroom dancing was originally a formal, social dance form that only happened in ballrooms. The word comes from ball, or party, with the Latin root ballare, "to dance."

Example Sentences

The question that’s been glossed over, however, is whether the ballroom would really patch up security for the president.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

Trump has mentioned the ballroom on about the same number of days as other topics like health insurance and affordability, according to a Washington Post analysis.

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2026

Bruccoleri is soon summoned inside Dyffryn Gardens, where one of the rooms has been transformed into a Regency ballroom.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

Secret Service agents tackled the alleged assailant before he was able to reach the ballroom where the gala was taking place.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Some 300 participants and organizers gathered in the ornate ballroom of the Washington Duke Hotel, the sixteen-story fading dowager of Durham’s glory days, to celebrate the completion of their work.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• amphitheater
• arena
• auditorium
• chamber
• church
• gallery
• gym
• gymnasium
• lounge
• theater