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

Just as impressive—and easily missed in the station wings—is the 400-seat Grand Brasserie in the original beaux-arts waiting room of Vanderbilt Hall with 55-foot-high ceilings, swaths of marble and gigantic chandeliers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

You might enter an old apartment building that’s been rezoned for offices with no waiting room to speak of.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

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

The regular crowd shots of the waiting room too often reduce the afflicted into a zombie-like horde bent on making life more difficult for our beloved medical staff.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

With a quick nod, I walk out to the waiting room where my dad is waiting.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

• foyer
• reception room
• vestibule