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 house2plural 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 skylight3 [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