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

I leave it in the common room, which is what you do with things you want stolen.

From Literature

Friends place group bets and crowd into college common rooms to yell at the same screen instead of sitting home alone on their phones.

From The Wall Street Journal

Penelope saw him several times in the common room of the barracks as she and the children explored their temporary quarters.

From Literature

“One of my favorite things has been seeing people watching the show in their dorm rooms and common rooms, maybe with new friends,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times