day room

American  

Or dayroom

noun

1. a room at an institution, as on a military base, providing facilities for leisure activities.

2. (in a hospital) a recreation room for ambulatory patients.

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day room British  

noun

1. a communal living room in a residential institution such as a hospital

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Etymology

Origin of day room

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

"They'd written observations of Winbourne being in the day room, sitting there eating his breakfast, and this was three days after he'd passed away," says Carole.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2025

Leslie spent her time in jail on a mattress on the floor in the day room because there were no cells available.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2025

In every prison I’ve been in, the communal TV is placed in the day room, with tables and chairs nearby.

From Slate • Dec. 12, 2023

They would clean the entire dorm — restrooms, day room and living quarters — every morning and evening, with additional spot cleaning as needed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2023

We got to eat good, we went to movies, the day room was cool.

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers