undercroft

American  

[uhn-der-krawft, -kroft] / ˈʌn dərˌkrɔft, -ˌkrɒft /

noun

1. a vault or chamber under the ground, especially in a church.

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undercroft British  

/ ˈʌndəˌkrɒft /

noun

1. an underground chamber, such as a church crypt, often with a vaulted ceiling

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Etymology

Origin of undercroft

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at under, croft ¹

Example Sentences

Eight and a half years ago, I attended my first in-person meeting, in the undercroft of a Unitarian Church in Brooklyn.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2020

I had a CVS employee show me how to use a price scanner, and a church employee tell me what an undercroft is.

From New York Times • Jan. 7, 2018

John Pobuda, a 58-year-old former US army private from Minnesota, is one resident of the undercroft below the deck of Interstate 80, who manages to scratch a living from what Airbnb throws in the trash.

From The Guardian • Nov. 21, 2017

Child care is offered from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the lower level, just off the undercroft or social hall.

From Washington Post • Jan. 6, 2017

Thus the fine early Norman undercroft of the prior’s hall is probably of the time of Abbot Simeon.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various