triforium

American  

[trahy-fawr-ee-uhm, -fohr-] / traɪˈfɔr i əm, -ˈfoʊr- /

noun

Architecture.

plural

triforia

1. (in a church) the wall at the side of the nave, choir, or transept, corresponding to the space between the vaulting or ceiling and the roof of an aisle, often having a blind arcade or an opening in a gallery.

---

triforium British  

/ traɪˈfɔːrɪəm /

noun

1. an arcade above the arches of the nave, choir, or transept of a church

---

Other Word Forms

• triforial
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of triforium

1695–1705; < Anglo-Latin, special use of Medieval Latin triforium kind of gallery, literally, something with three openings, equivalent to Latin tri- tri- + for ( is ) opening, door + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

A new museum overlooks the nave, through the stone arches of the 13th-century triforium, where monks once did laps in penance.

From Washington Post • Jan. 10, 2019

The triforium is to be converted to create public gallery and exhibition space in what will be the first major addition to the building since 1745.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2014

Huge colored banners had been hung from the triforium and all the candles on the piers were lit.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay

Above them was the triforium, a row of arches that went up another twenty feet in front of a narrow passageway.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay

The top of each arch touches the string course, above which is the beautiful triforium.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Lichfield A Description of Its Fabric and A Brief History of the Espicopal See by Clifton, A. B.