escape room

noun

plural escape rooms

: a game in which participants confined to a room or other enclosed setting (such as a prison cell) are given a set amount of time to find a way to escape (as by discovering hidden clues and solving a series of riddles or puzzles)

Escape rooms are a game where a group of friends or co-workers get locked into a space to play some puzzles, so they can all win the reward of leaving the room slightly early.

—Nick Douglas

One of the most interesting fusions of digital culture with an older form—in this case, theater—is the escape room, which locks people behind a closed door and asks them to find a way out.

—Chris Suellentrop

also : a place or business where this game is played

This is The Lock Boxx, a new mobile escape room based out of San Luis Obispo County. Customers are "locked" inside the trailer until they can solve the appropriate puzzles and break free.

—Jarod Urrutia

Examples of escape room in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the past five years Los Angeles’ Hatch Escapes has been rethinking the escape room ground rules. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Thames & Kosmos Exit: The Game Buy on Amazon $15 Buy on Walmart $15 Transform your living room into an escape room with this party game for preteens. —Deanna McCormack, Parents, 19 Mar. 2024

It is well documented that team building improves employee engagement and morale, but many of us cringe when our companies announce a team escape room or virtual Jeopardy. —Leila Saad, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024

Her first witness was the awkwardly sweet escape room designer, Aniq (Sam Richardson), who told his story in the style of a romantic comedy. —Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 29 Dec. 2023

An escape room session, for example, can get your team members to collaborate and figure out how to solve a problem under a time constraint. —Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2023

The Koyo Carp athlete, who previously played several seasons in the MLB, popped the question to Hawkins in October 2022 during a date night at an escape room. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 18 Dec. 2023

Lipa celebrated the song’s arrival with fans at the Houdini Estate in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, inviting them to navigate an escape room and, once safely free (if?), to dance. —Gary Trust, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

On offer will be a mix of themed physical and immersive multi-media experiences, interactive installations, attractions and dining options including escape rooms, VR and bumper cars as well as bars and restaurants. —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 20 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

2012, in the meaning defined above