balcony

[ bal-kuh-nee ]

noun

, plural bal·co·nies.

1. a balustraded or railed elevated platform projecting from the wall of a building.
2. a gallery in a theater.

balcony

/ ˈbælkənɪ /

noun

1. a platform projecting from the wall of a building with a balustrade or railing along its outer edge, often with access from a door or window
2. a gallery in a theatre or auditorium, above the dress circle
3. any circle or gallery in a theatre or auditorium including the dress circle

Derived Forms

• ˈbalconied, adjective

Other Words From

• balco·nied adjective
• un·balco·nied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of balcony¹

1610–20; < Italian balcone balcony, floor-length window < Langobardic (compare Old High German balc ( h ) o, accusative singular balcon beam; balk ); sense extended from the beam over an aperture to the aperture itself

Word History and Origins

Origin of balcony¹

C17: from Italian balcone , probably from Old High German balko beam; see balk

Example Sentences

She wrote in her memoir, she stepped onto her hotel balcony in Las Vegas and looked down.

From Salon

A funeral was held for the former One Direction singer Liam Payne in England on Wednesday afternoon, a month after his death in a fall from a hotel balcony.

From New York Times

The musician died after falling from a third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

From BBC

His mother, Josefa, 92, looked down from her balcony on an army of people at work, some wearing masks and protective clothing.

From BBC

Filmed from a 3rd floor balcony across the street, Daniel is seen smashing constantly against the glass.

From BBC

Related Words

• box
• gallery
• mezzanine
• platform
• porch
• stoop
• terrace
• veranda