atrium

atri·um

noun \ˈā-trē-əm\

plural atria\-trē-ə\ also atri·ums

Definition of ATRIUM

1

: the central room of a Roman house

2

plural usually atriums a : a rectangular open patio around which a house is built b : a many-storied court in a building (as a hotel) usually with a skylight

3

[New Latin, from Latin] : an anatomical cavity or passage; especially : the chamber or either of the chambers of the heart that receives blood from the veins and forces it into the ventricle or ventricles — see heart illustration

— atri·al \-trē-əl\ adjective

Origin of ATRIUM

Latin

First Known Use: 1577