hall

noun

ˈhȯl 

1

a

: the castle or house of a medieval king or noble

b

: the chief living room in such a structure

2

: the manor house of a landed proprietor

3

: a large usually imposing building for public or semipublic purposes

4

a(1)

: a building used by a college or university for some special purpose

(2)

: dormitory

b

: a college or a division of a college at some universities

c(1)

: the common dining room of an English college

(2)

: a meal served there

5

a

: the entrance room of a building : lobby

b

: a corridor or passage in a building

6

: a large room for assembly : auditorium

7

: a place used for public entertainment

Synonyms of hall

• hallway
• foyer
• lobby

Examples of hall in a Sentence

The bathroom is down the hall.

Her office is at the end of the hall.

I'll meet you in the front hall.

The front door opens onto a large hall.

We rented a hall for the wedding reception.

Recent Examples on the Web

The town hall followed one Sunday in Houston in which a majority of the attendees were Black. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 July 2026

The school recently announced an expansion of its indoor sports complex — in addition to staples like a weight room and a large sports hall for different activities, the facility will also include a fencing salle, a squash center and more. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

In Singapore’s varied neighborhoods, museums, restaurants and food halls, the diversity of the city-state’s population is front and center. — Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Who knows when state banquets will return to the ornate halls of Buckingham Palace? — Ben Jureidini, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English halle, from Old English heall; akin to Old High German halla hall, Latin cella small room, celare to conceal — more at hell

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hall

• borough hall
• city hall
• dance hall
• dining hall
• entrance hall
• fire hall
• hall monitor
• hall of residence
• hall pass
• hiring hall
• lecture hall
• mess hall
• music hall
• residence hall
• study hall
• town hall

Rhymes for hall

• ahl
• all
• aul
• bawl
• brawl
• call
• caul
• crawl
• dol
• doll
• drawl
• fall

Kids Definition

hall

noun

ˈhȯl 

1

a

: a large or impressive residence or public building

symphony hall

b

: one of the buildings of a college or university

Science Hall

residence halls

2

a

: the entrance room of a building : lobby

b

: a corridor or passage in a building

3

: a large room for assembly : auditorium

4

: a place used for public entertainment

Biographical Definition

Hall 1 of 6

biographical name (1)

ˈhȯl 

Charles Francis 1821–1871 American arctic explorer

Hall

2 of 6

biographical name (2)

Charles Martin 1863–1914 American chemist and manufacturer

Hall

3 of 6

biographical name (3)

G(ranville) Stanley 1844–1924 American psychologist and educator

Hall

4 of 6

biographical name (4)

James Norman 1887–1951 American novelist

Hall

5 of 6

biographical name (5)

Jeffrey C(onnor) 1945–     American biologist

Hall

6 of 6

biographical name (6)

John L(ewis) 1934–     American physicist