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balcony

American  
[bal-kuh-nee] / ˈbæl kə ni /

noun

plural

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

  2. a gallery in a theater.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • balconied adjective
  • unbalconied adjective

Etymology

Origin of balcony

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Among its more impressive features are an extraordinary great room with a 30-foot ceiling, as well as an expansive primary suite that boasts a sitting room, balcony, enormous walk-in closet, and two bathrooms.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Gehry wanted to turn BP Hall, where preconcert talks occur, into a small chamber music hall with a suspended balcony.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

My room was large, with a sectional sofa, two TVs and a balcony overlooking the pool with partial views of the Strip.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

It was painful to stand on the balcony, where I grow my tomatoes and chilies, and watch plumes of smoke rise on the horizon as puffs of interceptions appeared in the blue sky.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

A deep voice shouted out from the balcony.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu