vestibule

entrance hall, vestibule

noun veh-stee-BYOOL Rare

Origin: Latin vestibulum (forecourt)

Usage Note

Vestibule refers to the small entrance lobby of a building or grand house, equivalent to a foyer or anteroom. In anatomy, le vestibule is also the part of the inner ear involved in balance — the same word covers both senses. In everyday speech, entrée is more common for a home's hallway.

Examples

"Les invités attendaient dans le vestibule."

Natural Translation

The guests were waiting in the entrance hall.

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