panic room

noun

plural panic rooms

: a room designed to protect occupants from death or injury (as due to crime, war, or natural disaster) : safe room sense 2

… a tornado-proof panic room with bolting doors …

—Kimberly Miller

The new hall's front entrance has a special feature, a public panic room in a vestibule. "If somebody from the public was concerned for their safety, they can run in here, hit that button and it automatically locks the door," [Bryan] Van Gaver said.

—Paul Morden

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above