clerestory

noun

clere·​sto·​ry ˈklir-ˌstȯr-ē 

-st(ə-)rē

variants or less commonly clearstory

1

: an outside wall of a room or building that rises above an adjoining roof and contains windows

2

: gallery

Illustration of clerestory

• clerestory 1

Examples of clerestory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Take out those overly fancy countertops and pay for those clerestory windows. — The Editors, Robb Report, 25 May 2026

The living room features whitewashed stone walls, a curved plaster fireplace, and polished concrete floors, while the kitchen has flat-front wood cabinets, a waterfall eat-in island, and exposed wood ceilings above clerestory windows. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 May 2026

The accompanying bathroom sports dual quartz vanities and an oversize porcelain shower topped by an arched clerestory window. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 May 2026

The sunroom features walls of glass and clerestory windows that showcase the expansive backyard, which is surrounded by tall, mature redwood trees that provide both privacy and shade. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from clere clear + story

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clerestory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• feudatory
• gustatory
• gyratory

Kids Definition

clerestory

noun

clere·​sto·​ry ˈkli(ə)r-ˌstōr-ē 

-ˌstȯr-

plural clerestories

: an outside wall of a room or building that rises above a roof next to it and contains windows