mezzanine

noun

mez·​za·​nine ˈme-zə-ˌnēn How to pronounce mezzanine (audio)
ˌme-zə-ˈnēn
1
: a low-ceilinged story between two main stories of a building
especially : an intermediate story that projects in the form of a balcony
2
a
: the lowest balcony in a theater
b
: the first few rows of such a balcony

Examples of mezzanine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Roughly 20% of its deal mix is in equity, and the rest is scattered among second-lien and mezzanine debt, as well as other financing options. Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 Guests danced at a discotheque designed by Tony-winning creative force Christine Schwarzman on the mezzanine, while inside the iconic Café Carlyle, Mark Strong and Lesley Manville — stars of Oedipus and noted martini enthusiasts — curated a specialty martini bar for partygoers. Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 The design would also involve just one large mezzanine level, simplifying navigation in a station that has become renowned as a labyrinth. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026 The mezzanine’s railing alternates plain bronze spindles with miniature art deco skyscrapers. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mezzanine

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian mezzanino, from mezzano middle, from Latin medianus middle, median

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mezzanine was in 1711

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mezzanine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mezzanine. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

mezzanine

noun
mez·​za·​nine ˈmez-ᵊn-ˌēn How to pronounce mezzanine (audio)
ˌmez-ᵊn-ˈēn
1
: a story between two main stories of a building often in the form of a balcony
2
: the lowest balcony in a theater or its first few rows

More from Merriam-Webster on mezzanine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster