bay window

American  

noun

1. an alcove of a room, projecting from an outside wall and having its own windows, especially one having its own foundations.

2. Informal. a large, protruding belly; paunch.

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bay window British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: bay.  a window projecting from the wall of a building and forming an alcove of a room See also bow window oriel window

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Etymology

Origin of bay window

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

The front bay window appeared to have been completely blown out, with debris including plants, wooden shutters and glass scattered across the street.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2025

Adding further drama is a giant bay window in the living room that overlooks the backyard.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2024

By March 5, Mr. Rice noticed the bay window in his living room was cracking from the weight of the snow.

From New York Times • Mar. 15, 2023

The bay window that Hadley moved to frame the patio and birch trees, no longer faces the outside.

From Washington Post • Apr. 29, 2022

We’d shoved the big brass bed we shared into the bay window, hoping a breath of cool night air would make a wrong turn and stumble across us.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck