balcony

[bal-kuh-nee]

noun

plural

balconies 

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

2. a gallery in a theater.

balcony

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• balconied adjective
• unbalconied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of balcony¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of balcony¹

C17: from Italian balcone , probably from Old High German balko beam; see _balk

Example Sentences

Some of the balconies are enhanced with landscaping.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Shortly after the theft, it was revealed by the Louvre's director that the only camera monitoring the Galerie d'Apollon was pointing away from a balcony the thieves climbed over to break in.

Read more on BBC

I use a clothesline on the balcony and a laundromat nearby in case I have an urgent need to dry things.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The unit is located on the 10th floor and features a large living room with light-wood walls, recessed lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a private balcony.

Read more on MarketWatch

There, tottering on the edge of the railing that circled the parlor’s private balcony, was Edward Ashton.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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