Definition of 'hall'

Word Frequency

hall

(hɔl )

Word forms: halls

1. countable noun

The hall in a house or an apartment is the area just inside the front door, into which some of the other rooms open.

The lights were on in the hall and in the bedroom.

Synonyms: passage, lobby, corridor, hallway More Synonyms of hall

2. countable noun

A hall in a building is a long passage with doors into rooms on both sides of it.

[mainly US]

There are 10 rooms along each hall.

3. countable noun

A hall is a large room or building which is used for public events such as concerts, exhibitions, and meetings.

We picked up our conference materials and filed into the lecture hall.

Synonyms: meeting place, chamber, auditorium, concert hall More Synonyms of hall

4. See also town hall

Video: pronunciation of
hall

Hall in American English

(hɔl )

Charles Martin1863-1914; U.S. chemist: discovered electrolytic process for reducing aluminum from bauxite

G(ranville) Stanley1844-1924; U.S. psychologist & educator

Word Frequency

hall in American English

(hɔl )

noun

1. Obsolete

the great central room in the dwelling of a king or chieftain, where banquets, games, etc. were held

the dwelling itself

the main dwelling on the estate of a baron, squire, etc.

3. [sometimes H-]

a building containing public offices or the headquarters of an organization, for transacting business, holding meetings, etc.

a large public or semipublic room for gatherings, entertainments, etc.

5. [sometimes H-]

a college dormitory, classroom building, eating center, etc.

a passageway or room between the entrance and the interior of a building; vestibule, foyer, or lobby

a passageway or area onto which rooms open; hallway

Word origin

ME halle < OE heall (akin to Ger halle), lit., that which is covered < base of helan, to cover < IE base *kel-, to cover > hell, L celare, to conceal

Word Frequency

hall in American English

(hɔl)

noun

a corridor or passageway in a building

the large entrance room of a house or building; vestibule; lobby

a large room or building for public gatherings; auditorium

convention hall

concert hall

a large building for residence, instruction, or other purposes, at a college or university

a college at a university

6. (in English colleges)

a large room in which the members and students dine

dinner in such a room

7. Brit

a mansion or large residence, esp. one on a large estate

8. Brit informal See music hall

the chief room in a medieval castle or similar structure, used for eating, sleeping, and entertaining

10.

the castle, house, or similar structure of a medieval chieftain or noble

11. Southeastern U.S. old-fashioned

the living room or family room of a house

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME; OE heall; c. ON hǫll, G Halle; akin to OE helan to cover, hide, L cēlāre to hide ( see conceal)]

Word Frequency

hall in British English

(hɔːl )

noun

a room serving as an entry area within a house or building

2. (sometimes capital)

a building for public meetings

3. (often capital)

the great house of an estate; manor

a large building or room used for assemblies, worship, concerts, dances, etc

a residential building, esp in a university; hall of residence

a large room, esp for dining, in a college or university

a meal eaten in this room

the large room of a house, castle, etc

8. US and Canadian

a passage or corridor into which rooms open

9. (often plural) informal short for music hall

Word origin

Old English heall; related to Old Norse höll, Old High German halla hall, Latin cela cell1, Old Irish cuile cellar, Sanskrit śālā hut; see hell

Word Frequency

Hall in British English

(hɔːl )

noun

Charles Martin. 1863–1914, US chemist: discovered the electrolytic process for producing aluminium

Sir John. 1824–1907, New Zealand statesman, born in England: prime minister of New Zealand (1879–82)

Sir Peter. 1930–2017, English stage director: director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (1960–73) and of the National Theatre (1973–88)

( Marguerite) Radclyffe. 1883–1943, British novelist and poet. Her frank treatment of a lesbian theme in the novel The Well of Loneliness (1928) led to an obscenity trial

Word Frequency

hall in Hospitality

(hɔl)

Word forms: (regular plural) halls

noun

(Hospitality (hotel): Hotel facilities)

A hall in a building is a long passage with doors into rooms on both sides of it.

There are ten rooms along each hall.

The lights were on in the hall and in the guest bedrooms.

Your room is the last door at the right side of the hall.

Examples of 'hall' in a sentence
hall

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

The two concert halls are housed in giant concrete shells within the glass curtain above the plaza.My home is the southeast wing of a country hall.The hall or the bedroom should align with the design and decor of the bathroom.At the end of next month its accessories hall will open in the first of three phases.The next big concert hall project should be in the southwest.If you move into halls leave your door open with music on - you won't be alone for long.And they didn't want the bright front room off the hall to become a neglected space that the family bypassed on the way to a rear kitchen.With double bedrooms and spacious common areas fitted with designer furniture, the atmosphere is relaxed, reminiscent of a university hall of residence.In the conference hall where they waited was a table.Church halls and school buildings will be offered for use as well as churches.