common room

American  

noun

1. a room or lounge for informal use by all.

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common room British  

noun

1. a sitting room in schools, colleges, etc, for the relaxation of students or staff

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Etymology

Origin of common room

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

On the evening of Jan. 15, 26 undergrads gathered for dinner in a common room at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to debate the fairness of college admissions post-affirmative action.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

Some common room shapes include: rectangular, square, angled and curved.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 28, 2023

Mr. Yi lamented as he sat in the hostel’s common room after a day of unsuccessful interviews.

From New York Times • Nov. 1, 2023

The common room where everybody went was the parking lot.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2022

Wednesday afternoon meant Herbology, in the greenhouses under a baking-hot sun; then back to the common room once more, with sunburnt necks, thinking longingly of this time next day, when it would all be over.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling