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

What once functioned as supplemental classroom software has effectively become critical educational infrastructure.

From Salon • May 9, 2026

Heightened federal immigration enforcement also has affected enrollment and attendance while creating anxiety that spills over into the classroom.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

For evacuees like Ramon Adino, 68, who is living in a cramped school classroom with 12 other families, a return to "normal life" is now just a matter of waiting.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

This “digital lock-in” forced more screen time and distraction into the classroom, he theorizes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

“Maybe we should call the police,” said Joey Sisman, back in the classroom, where we set up the AV equipment for health.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott