waiting room

American  

[wey-ting room, room] / ˈweɪ tɪŋ ˌrum, ˌrʊm /

noun

1. a room for the use of persons waiting, as in a railroad station or a physician's office.

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waiting room British  

noun

1. a room in which people may wait, as at a railway station, doctor's or dentist's office, etc

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Etymology

Origin of waiting room

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

I take in the waiting room to my right, forcing my eyes over every faded plastic chair, into every corner, but I don’t see them.

From Literature

A packed waiting room, doctors under pressure, mental health crises.

From BBC

In Mr. Loznitsa’s vision, the waiting room is one place ideals go to die, or at least whimper.

From The Wall Street Journal

We entered a waiting room jammed with people and sat down under the watchful eyes of the soldier.

From Literature

In the face of a slow job market, rising housing costs and career ladders that increasingly resemble waiting rooms, starting a business before you need a job flips the equation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• foyer
• reception room
• vestibule