hall

noun

ˈhȯl 

1

a

: the castle or house of a medieval king or noble

b

: the chief living room in such a structure

2

: the manor house of a landed proprietor

3

: a large usually imposing building for public or semipublic purposes

4

a(1)

: a building used by a college or university for some special purpose

(2)

: dormitory

b

: a college or a division of a college at some universities

c(1)

: the common dining room of an English college

(2)

: a meal served there

5

a

: the entrance room of a building : lobby

b

: a corridor or passage in a building

6

: a large room for assembly : auditorium

7

: a place used for public entertainment

Synonyms

• entranceway
• entry
• entryway
• foyer
• hallway
• lobby
• vestibule

Examples of hall in a Sentence

The bathroom is down the hall.

Her office is at the end of the hall.

I'll meet you in the front hall.

The front door opens onto a large hall.

We rented a hall for the wedding reception.

Recent Examples on the Web

Inside the hall, when the decision for Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi was announced, the audience applauded. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025

The Mazda was seen entering and leaving the parking lot of the bingo hall and traveling north toward Saginaw after the homicide, according to the affidavit. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Jan. 2025

The visual spectacle resonated globally, transforming Paris into a pilgrimage site for fans eager to trace their footsteps through the marble halls. —Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025

In the main hall was a display of memorabilia, including Cocteau’s original note for the hotel. —Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English halle, from Old English heall; akin to Old High German halla hall, Latin cella small room, celare to conceal — more at hell

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hall

• borough hall
• city hall
• dance hall
• dining hall
• entrance hall
• fire hall
• hall monitor
• hall of residence
• hall pass
• hiring hall
• lecture hall
• mess hall
• music hall
• residence hall
• study hall
• town hall

Kids Definition

hall

noun

ˈhȯl 

1

a

: a large or impressive residence or public building

symphony hall

b

: one of the buildings of a college or university

Science Hall

residence halls

2

a

: the entrance room of a building : lobby

b

: a corridor or passage in a building

3

: a large room for assembly : auditorium

4

: a place used for public entertainment

Biographical Definition

Hall 1 of 6

biographical name (1)

ˈhȯl 

Charles Francis 1821–1871 American arctic explorer

Hall

2 of 6

biographical name (2)

Charles Martin 1863–1914 American chemist and manufacturer

Hall

3 of 6

biographical name (3)

G(ranville) Stanley 1844–1924 American psychologist and educator

Hall

4 of 6

biographical name (4)

James Norman 1887–1951 American novelist

Hall

5 of 6

biographical name (5)

Jeffrey C(onnor) 1945–     American biologist

Hall

6 of 6

biographical name (6)

John L(ewis) 1934–     American physicist