kiosk

[ kee-osk, kee-osk ]

noun

1. a small structure having one or more sides open, used as a newsstand, refreshment stand, bandstand, etc.
2. a thick, columnlike structure on which notices, advertisements, etc., are posted.
3. an interactive computer terminal available for public use, as one with internet access or site-specific information:

   Students use kiosks to look up campus events.

4. an open pavilion or summerhouse common in Turkey and Iran.
5. British. a telephone booth.

kiosk

/ ˈkiːɒsk /

noun

1. a small sometimes movable booth from which cigarettes, newspapers, light refreshments, etc, are sold
2. a telephone box
3. a thick post on which advertisements are posted
4. (in Turkey, Iran, etc, esp formerly) a light open-sided pavilion

Word History and Origins

Origin of kiosk¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from French kiosque “stand in a public park,” ultimately from Turkish köşk “villa,” from Persian kūshk “palace, villa”

Word History and Origins

Origin of kiosk¹

C17: from French kiosque bandstand, from Turkish kösk, from Persian kūshk pavilion

Example Sentences

According to credit card processor Square, and as reported by CBS, nearly 75% of remote transactions in food and beverage now ask for a tip, including online orders and at self-service kiosks.

From Salon

This means that all Vistara operations will be transferred to and managed by Air India, including helpdesk kiosks and ticketing offices.

From BBC

Back in July, a survey conducted exclusively for Newsweek found that a majority of Americans wanted self-checkout kiosks to be completely removed from retail stores.

From Salon

We found that businesses can reduce this pressure and increase satisfaction by revamping their system so that a single line of waiting customers leads to multiple kiosks.

From Salon

Additionally, free fare tickets must be acquired in advance and are not available aboard trains or ticket kiosks.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• booth
• newsstand
• stall