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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 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

Women of all ages sat in the waiting room, darting their eyes, looking for connection and distraction.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

An EU member since 2007, Bulgaria joined the so-called "waiting room" to the single currency in 2020, at the same time as Croatia.

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

They used to play in the waiting room together when they were little.

From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene

Related Words

• foyer
• reception room
• vestibule