dining hall

American  

noun

1. a large room in which meals are served to members of a special group and their guests, as to the students and faculty of a college.

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Etymology

Origin of dining hall

First recorded in 1660–70

Explanation

A dining-hall is a large space where many people eat at the same time. If you go to college and live in a dormitory, you'll probably eat most of your meals in a dining-hall. You can use the word dining-hall when you're talking about a cafeteria or another group space for eating. You'll find dining-halls at universities, camps. and boarding schools. The word hall. a long room, comes from the Old English root heall, "spacious roofed residence," and dining is rooted in the Old French disner, "to have a meal."

Example Sentences

“In most CCRCs, when you go down to the dining hall, half the people have walkers or canes. In the promotional literature, you don’t see that at all,” Horowitz said.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

As I look back on my favorite egg recipes, I’m reminded of my childhood and early college years eating at the campus dining hall.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

She bought lollipops and a teddy bear, and by 10 a.m. she had set up shop outside a campus dining hall where she consoled students Sunday morning with offers of “free mom hugs.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025

A decorative plate stolen from a dining hall by a University of Cambridge student more than 100 years ago has finally been returned.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

Most of the room applauds the tray drop because I believe that’s the officially required response in every school cafeteria and dining hall across America.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

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