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

"Jasper," a man with severe constipation who passes away in the sweltering waiting room, first appears in the season’s opening episode, and can later be glimpsed shedding layers of clothing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

She had to queue online in February; in a virtual waiting room, she learned she was 10,000th in line.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

In other words, nearly one in five people spending long hours stuck on a corridor, waiting room, or a bay, with no idea of when it was going to end.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

As we spoke by phone, Ceballos peeked into his waiting room and said three patients were from the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

Doha entered the waiting room and collapsed onto a stool, exhausted by everything that had happened.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

• foyer
• reception room
• vestibule