drawing room

American  

noun

1. a formal reception room, especially in an apartment or private house.

2. (in a railroad car) a private room for two or three passengers.

3. British. a formal reception, especially at court.

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drawing room British  

noun

1. a room where visitors are received and entertained; living room; sitting room

2. archaic a ceremonial or formal reception, esp at court

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Other Word Forms

• drawing-room adjective

Etymology

Origin of drawing room

First recorded in 1635–45; as shortening of now obsolete withdrawing room

Example Sentences

As he settled in for a brief chat with the media in the drawing room at Chevening alongside the foreign secretary, Vance spoke warmly of their relationship.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2025

In the drawing room, 133 titles and 289 volumes of mostly unscientific literature were recorded.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2024

When her housekeeper found her body in the drawing room in the northern city of Sassari in the winter of 1914, Giles was clinging to the last minutes of her mysterious life.

From Salon • May 28, 2023

Leaders of Mr. Khan’s political party took to social media to share footage of tear gas canisters landing on the lawn outside his drawing room.

From New York Times • Mar. 18, 2023

In the drawing room the French windows were open on to the terrace and the sound of the sea murmuring against the rocks came up to them.

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

Related Words

• parlor
• reception room