kiosk

[kee-osk, kee-osk]

noun

1. a small structure having one or more sides open, used as a newsstand, refreshment stand, bandstand, etc.

2. a thick, columnlike structure on which notices, advertisements, etc., are posted.

3. an interactive computer terminal available for public use, as one with internet access or site-specific information.

   Students use kiosks to look up campus events.

4. an open pavilion or summerhouse common in Turkey and Iran.

5. British.,  a telephone booth.

kiosk

/ ˈkiːɒsk /

noun

1. a small sometimes movable booth from which cigarettes, newspapers, light refreshments, etc, are sold

2. a telephone box

3. a thick post on which advertisements are posted

4. (in Turkey, Iran, etc, esp formerly) a light open-sided pavilion

Word History and Origins

Origin of kiosk¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from French kiosque “stand in a public park,” ultimately from Turkish köşk “villa,” from Persian kūshk “palace, villa”

Word History and Origins

Origin of kiosk¹

C17: from French kiosque bandstand, from Turkish kösk, from Persian kūshk pavilion

Example Sentences

New interactive kiosks will help promote its scents in malls and train stations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Interactive features include a kiosk that digitally separates each level of the shroud so visitors can examine just the blood stains, just the burn marks or just the shadowy image.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The proposed program will use a new biometric kiosk system to verify identification before the traveler is permitted to pass through the TSA checkpoint, according to a notice posted on the Federal Register.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Village’s lobby will be redesigned as a multipurpose space for concessions, filmmaker artifacts, retail kiosks and premiere-related events.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Eurotunnel has installed more than a hundred kiosks at each side of the Channel.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• booth 
• newsstand 
• stall