balcony

play

noun bal·co·ny \ˈbal-kə-nē\

Definition of balcony

plural

balconies

1 : a platform that projects from the wall of a building and is enclosed by a parapet or railing
2 : an interior projecting gallery in a public building (such as a theater)

balconied

play \-nēd\ adjective

See balcony defined for English-language learners

See balcony defined for kids

Examples of balcony in a Sentence

We asked for a hotel room with a balcony.
on summer mornings I often have breakfast out on the balcony

Recent Examples of balcony from the Web

An AirTV Pro installer will come to the house and set you up with a sweet antenna for rooftop, balcony or attic-mounting.

— jonathan takiff, Philly.com, "AirTV offers a bargain option to cable/satellite TV," 13 July 2017
Gone is the Jewish quarter, the markets with their monasteries, and the lattice balconies and sculptured masonry of another Sunni silk road city.

— The Economist, "Islamic State nears its end," 5 July 2017
Duvo took her by the arm and led her onto the balcony.

— alden woods, azcentral, "60 days to find a home: Lack of affordable housing forces renters to settle," 2 July 2017
Talking to my potted plants [on] the balcony, while observing every little pattern on different leaves, overturning little bits of moist soil — pretty soothing.

— the mighty, Teen Vogue, "22 Unexpected Things That Help With Anxiety," 1 July 2017
About the building SkyHouse Cincinnati's residences will offer a range of studio to three-bedroom apartments with high-end finishes, floor-to-ceiling glass and private balconies.

— sharon coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "SkyHouse tower will add 352 apartments on Cincinnati riverfront," 28 June 2017
There, fix a cocktail at the wet bar, relax on a private balcony or scratch some poetry out in the office and a window walled viewing nook.

— brian kelly, AL.com, "Villa Norte along the banks of Bayou St. John," 28 June 2017
The architecture firm Glen & Company has brought some Broadway boogie-woogie to the space, creating rhythm with colors and suspending a theatrical scalloped balcony over the main floor.

— pete wells, New York Times, "A Chef’s Mexican Fantasia at Empellón in Midtown," 27 June 2017
In what has become a deadly summer ritual, yet another teen has died after falling from balcony at one of the Carolinas beaches.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "Teen falls from 3rd floor balcony at home on NC beach and dies, officials say," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'balcony.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of balcony

Origin and Etymology of balcony

Italian balcone, from Old Italian, large window, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balko beam — more at balk

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1618

See Words from the same year

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

BALCONY Defined for English Language Learners

balcony

play

noun

Definition of balcony for English Language Learners

: a raised platform that is connected to the side of a building and surrounded by a low wall or railing
: a floor or seating area above the main floor of a theater

BALCONY Defined for Kids

balcony

play

noun bal·co·ny \ˈbal-kə-nē\

Definition of balcony for Students

plural

balconies

1 : a platform enclosed by a low wall or a railing built out from the side of a building
2 : a platform inside a theater extending out over part of the main floor