foyer

noun foy·er \ ˈfȯi(-ə)r , ˈfȯi-ˌ(y)ā also ˈfwä-ˌyā \

|Updated on: 4 Jun 2018

Examples: foyer in a Sentence

Definition of foyer

: an anteroom or lobby especially of a theater; also : an entrance hallway : vestibule

See foyer defined for English-language learners

See foyer defined for kids

Examples of foyer in a Sentence

theatergoers crowded the foyer during the play's intermission
leave your muddy boots in the foyer and come into the house

Recent Examples of foyer from the Web

First there was a tiny foyer, and there sat the paper shredder.

— susan harfouche, The New Republic, "Memoirs of an Ex-Sannyasin," 12 Apr. 2018
Cucumbers keep a little plaque hanging on the wall of their foyer.

— alex delany, Bon Appetit, "A Definitive Ranking of Grocery Store Cucumbers," 9 Apr. 2018
Martin gave three of them a new purpose in her foyer.

— country living staff, Country Living, "17 of the Best Indoor Plants to Make Your Home Feel Unique," 6 Mar. 2018
On the walls of their spacious foyer are 35 portraits of notable women.

— hugh hunter, Philly.com, "'The Revolutionists' at Theatre Horizon: Comedy, martyrdom and feminism offer a mixed bag," 8 Feb. 2018
Decorative wall hooks in the foyer and shelves, cubbies, and more hooks in the rear mudroom provide accommodations for coats and boots.

— joan walden, courant.com, "63 Westland Avenue, West Hartford," 19 Jan. 2018
Collection of bulbs and medical sharps takes place the first Thursday of every month, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., in the foyer at City Hall, 505 Butler Place.

— jennifer johnson, chicagotribune.com, "What's happening in Park Ridge: Preschool fair, winter farmers market, 'Frostival' held this month," 12 Jan. 2018
Though the Center City location was iconic, and its closing inspired a perhaps excessive degree of mourning, this location also feels reassuringly retro, with its logo frosted onto glass panels and cigarette machine in the foyer.

— samantha melamed, Philly.com, "Little Pete's is dead. Long live Little Pete's | Bar Code," 16 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of foyer

French, literally, fireplace, from Vulgar Latin *focarium, from Latin focus hearth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1833

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

foyer Synonyms

Synonyms

entranceway, entry, entryway, hall, hallway, lobby, vestibule;

door, doorway, entrance, portal, threshold;

Other Architecture Terms

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

FOYER Defined for English Language Learners

foyer

noun

Definition of foyer for English Language Learners

: an open area in a public building (such as a hotel or theater) near the entrance : a lobby or entrance hall
: an open area near the entrance in someone's home