clerestory

noun

clere·​sto·​ry ˈklir-ˌstȯr-ē 

-st(ə-)rē

variants or less commonly clearstory

1

: an outside wall of a room or building that rises above an adjoining roof and contains windows

2

: gallery

Illustration of clerestory

• clerestory 1

Examples of clerestory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The open-plan four-bedroom has stone walls, wood ceilings and floors, clerestory windows, multiple decks, a kitchen with walls of windows overlooking the trees, and an owners' suite with two bathrooms and a wood-burning fireplace. —The Week Staff, theweek, 24 Sep. 2024

The rustic four-bedroom house has an angled roofline, split-level floor plan, clerestory windows, exposed beams, wood walls, suspended cement fireplace, and sweeping ocean views from nearly every window. —The Week Staff, theweek, 23 July 2024

Wright's famed clerestory windows are designed to illuminate the room naturally. —Kristine Hansen, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2023

The 2015 five-bedroom, open-plan house has clerestory windows, exposed beams, a vaulted great room with a stone fireplace framed by forest-view windows, a chef's kitchen, a sunroom with a billiards table, and a downstairs theater, wine cellar, and fitness room. —The Week Staff, theweek, 2 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from clere clear + story

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

clerestory

noun

clere·​sto·​ry ˈkli(ə)r-ˌstōr-ē 

-ˌstȯr-

plural clerestories

: an outside wall of a room or building that rises above a roof next to it and contains windows