ballroom

American  

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

noun

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

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ballroom British  

/ -ˌrʊm, ˈbɔːlˌruːm /

noun

1. a large hall for dancing

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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

This week's rulings came after the appeals court ordered the judge to reconsider the national security implications of halting the work after he temporarily blocked all construction of the ballroom in March.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Construction of the underground and above ground portions of US President Donald Trump's White House ballroom will be allowed to continue, an appeals court has ruled.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

And the president’s actual priorities — plans for a $400-million White House ballroom and a massive “Triumphal Arch” nearby!

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

If it’s not the ballroom redesign, he’s pretty over it.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

He goes directly to the ballroom, making his way to the center of the dance floor.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

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