drawing room
- a formal reception room, especially in an apartment or private house.
- (in a railroad car) a private room for two or three passengers.
- British. a formal reception, especially at court.
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Origin of drawing room
First recorded in 1635–45; as shortening of now obsolete withdrawing room
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for drawing room
Contemporary Examples
A moment ago the drawing-room had seemed empty; Mrs. Luke, in her sole person, filled and illuminated it.
He struck me as being something of a drawing-room Communist and I doubt whether he had talks of any importance with the Chinese.
Historical Examples
If only she could have stayed there with Mimi; but in the end she had to go back to the drawing-room.
Life and Death of Harriett FreanMay Sinclair
With his hand on the knob of the drawing-room door Austin paused and looked at him.
VivietteWilliam J. Locke
An hour later, she was at the house of Mrs. Weston, and was shown into the drawing-room.
Life in LondonEdwin Hodder
"No one but major Marvel," she answered, and opened the door of the drawing-room.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
Then he turned to the two in the drawing-room, both of whom had now risen to their feet.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
drawing room
- a room where visitors are received and entertained; living room; sitting room
- archaic a ceremonial or formal reception, esp at court
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for drawing room
1640s, short for withdrawing room (see withdraw), into which ladies would go after dinner.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper