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

Enjoy post-hike spa treatments and incredible views of the Flatirons from your balcony.

From Outside Online

Smaller storage sheds can help for quick access to garden basics, and even be used on balconies or in smaller condo units.

From Popular-Science

It’s perfect for the succulents on your windowsill, or the cacti collection on your balcony.

From Popular-Science

There are many hallways and entryways and balconies, and you get lost trying to find your way.

From MIT Technology Review

Last week, after a Voice of San Diego inquiry, La Vida Real OK’d scheduled family courtyard and balcony visits.

From Voice of San Diego

Orchestra seats cost $100; mezzanine is $75; and balcony, $50.

From The Daily Beast

From a balcony on one side, a few people looked down on us as we entered, waving hello.

From The Daily Beast

From his balcony overlooking the American embassy hangs a Palestinian flag.

From The Daily Beast

Neatly hung laundry still dangled over the main street from the second-floor balcony of an apartment above a blown-out storefront.

From The Daily Beast

Because Thrones is basically a soap opera, of course a seething Lysa was watching Sansa and Baelish make out from her balcony.

From The Daily Beast

Now, he chose a small table in a corner of the balcony, close to the glass screen.

From Project Gutenberg

Her thin and narrow hands held the balcony railing rather tightly.

From Project Gutenberg

He, too, sought his bedroom, a cool apartment with a balcony outside the French window.

From Project Gutenberg

On this balcony, which stretched along the whole range of first-floor bedrooms, he stood for a while, pondering deeply.

From Project Gutenberg

She sat still, looking out through the open window to the moonlight that lay on the white stone of the balcony floor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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