room

[room, room]

noun

1. a portion of space within a building or other structure, separated by walls or partitions from other parts.

   a dining room.

2. rooms, lodgings or quarters, as in a house or building.

3. the persons present in a room.

   The whole room laughed.

4. space or extent of space occupied by or available for something.

   The desk takes up too much room.

5. opportunity or scope for something.

   room for improvement; room for doubt.

   Synonyms: allowance, margin, provision

6. status or a station in life considered as a place.

   He fought for room at the top.

7. capacity.

   Her brain had no room for trivia.

8. Mining.,  a working area cut between pillars.

verb (used without object)

1. to occupy a room or rooms; lodge.

room

/ ruːm, rʊm /

noun

1. space or extent, esp unoccupied or unobstructed space for a particular purpose

   is there room to pass?

2. an area within a building enclosed by a floor, a ceiling, and walls or partitions

   sitting room

   dining room

3. (functioning as singular or plural) the people present in a room

   the whole room was laughing

4. (foll by for) opportunity or scope

   room for manoeuvre

5. (plural) a part of a house, hotel, etc, that is rented out as separate accommodation; lodgings

   she got rooms in town

6. a euphemistic word for lavatory

verb

1. (intr) to occupy or share a room or lodging

   where does he room?

Other Word Forms

• underroom noun
• roomer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of room¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English roum(e), Old English rūm; cognate with Dutch ruim, German Raum

Word History and Origins

Origin of room¹

Old English rūm ; related to Gothic, Old High German rūm

Idioms and Phrases

• not enough room to swing a cat
• take up space (room)

Example Sentences

It’s unclear when Alt might return after the second-year player was carted off to the locker room against the Giants and watched the second half on the sideline in street clothes and a walking boot.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re starting to practice being home,” Koerner said in his front yard, with Daisy at his feet and a work crew applying finishing touches in the living room.

From Los Angeles Times

"All over the pitch. Weak," he continued, storming out of the dressing room after telling his charges to "get on with it".

From BBC

In 1996, she was promoted to the post of locomotive pilot - the main operator of the train's control room, or the "nerve centre" of the train.

From BBC

Retreating to their safe room after hearing gunfire just outside their walls, Amir texted his dad, Noam, in Tel Aviv.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accommodation 
• apartment 
• cabin 
• cave 
• chamber 
• cubicle 
• den 
• lodging 
• office 
• suite