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

Since then, it has raised more than £300,000 for a new pre-teen common room in the Schiehallion ward and ongoing improvements, such as new loungers.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2024

Door duty puts Ventura’s name toward the top of the list for work — other volunteers, who agree to clean the common room or parking lot, also get top-of-list privileges.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2024

One of the earliest video clips, dated April 2017, shows a common room in the jail’s gay and trans dorm.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2023

I read the worn-out paperbacks in the common room.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko