room

[room, room]

noun

1. a portion of space within a building or other structure, separated by walls or partitions from other parts.

   a dining room.

2. rooms, lodgings or quarters, as in a house or building.

3. the persons present in a room.

   The whole room laughed.

4. space or extent of space occupied by or available for something.

   The desk takes up too much room.

5. opportunity or scope for something.

   room for improvement; room for doubt.

   Synonyms: allowance, margin, provision

6. status or a station in life considered as a place.

   He fought for room at the top.

7. capacity.

   Her brain had no room for trivia.

8. Mining.,  a working area cut between pillars.

verb (used without object)

1. to occupy a room or rooms; lodge.

room

/ ruːm, rʊm /

noun

1. space or extent, esp unoccupied or unobstructed space for a particular purpose

   is there room to pass?

2. an area within a building enclosed by a floor, a ceiling, and walls or partitions

   sitting room

   dining room

3. (functioning as singular or plural) the people present in a room

   the whole room was laughing

4. (foll by for) opportunity or scope

   room for manoeuvre

5. (plural) a part of a house, hotel, etc, that is rented out as separate accommodation; lodgings

   she got rooms in town

6. a euphemistic word for lavatory

verb

1. (intr) to occupy or share a room or lodging

   where does he room?

Other Word Forms

• roomer noun
• underroom noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of room¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English roum(e), Old English rūm; cognate with Dutch ruim, German Raum

Word History and Origins

Origin of room¹

Old English rūm ; related to Gothic, Old High German rūm

Idioms and Phrases

• not enough room to swing a cat
• take up space (room)

Example Sentences

"Our findings leave no room for doubt: civilians are paying the highest price in this war," Mr Othman added.

From BBC

The veep has tried to increase his visibility recently by going on vacation wherever he can still get a room and service, and he’s desperate to seem vital.

From Salon

Retail analyst Natalie Berg said there was "no room for complacency" in the current retail landscape.

From BBC

One day, I came to the dining room of my gracious place, and seated across from me was a woman who immediately struck me.

From Los Angeles Times

Or the Miss Teen USA contestants, who said he came into their dressing room in 1997 as they were changing, even as many of them were underage.

From Salon

Related Words

• accommodation 
• apartment 
• cabin 
• cave 
• chamber 
• cubicle 
• den 
• lodging 
• office 
• suite