Main Entry: atri·um

Pronunciation: \ˈā-trē-əm\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural atria \-trē-ə\ also atri·ums

Etymology: Latin

Date: 1577

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