propylaeum

noun

pro·​py·​lae·​um ˌprä-pə-ˈlē-əm 

ˌprō-

plural propylaea ˌprä-pə-ˈlē-ə 

ˌprō-

: a vestibule or entrance of architectural importance before a building or enclosure

—often used in plural

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek propylaion, from pro- before + pylē gate — more at pro-

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined above