classroom

American  

[klas-room, -room, klahs-] / ˈklæsˌrum, -ˌrʊm, ˈklɑs- /

noun

1. a room, as in a school or college, in which classes are held.

2. any place where one learns or gains experience.

   The sea is the sailor's classroom.

---

classroom British  

/ -ˌrʊm, ˈklɑːsˌruːm /

noun

1. a room in which classes are conducted, esp in a school or college

---

Usage

What does classroom mean? A classroom is traditionally a room in a school where a class is taught. The word classroom is commonly used to refer to such a room at every level of education, including elementary school, high school, and college. It can also be used in a more general way to refer to any space where students are being taught by a teacher. Some classrooms might not even be in a room—some schools have outdoor classrooms where students are taught outside, for example. The word is sometimes used in a figurative way to refer to the primary place where someone learns and gains experience outside of a formal educational setting, as in My grandfather didn’t have much formal schooling—the farm was his classroom. Example: I try to set up my classroom to be a space that allows each student to learn in their own way.

Etymology

Origin of classroom

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; class + room

Example Sentences

A Department for Education spokesman called its data "shocking" and said discrimination had no place in schools, adding: "Every child deserves to learn in a safe and calm classroom."

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Learning a language in a systematic way can be challenging, whether in a classroom or from a self-study course.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

During opening statements, the prosecutor said the child at some point moved the firearm into an oversize jacket he was wearing on the playground and in the classroom.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

In each classroom, access to computers would be flexible.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

I rush out after him, but Luna gets to the door of Brie’s classroom first.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison