balcony
n. countablen. a small platform on the outside of a building where you can stand or sit. It is usually high up and has a low wall or railing for safety.
n. a platform projecting from the exterior wall of a building, supported by columns or console brackets and enclosed by a balustrade. Also refers to an upper tier of seating in a theatre or auditorium.
We sat on the balcony to watch the sunset.
The apartment is small, but it has a beautiful balcony overlooking the park where I grow herbs.
From the hotel balcony, the guests enjoyed a panoramic view of the Mediterranean coastline, though the height made those with a fear of open spaces feel quite uneasy.
Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *balkô Frankish *balkōbor. Medieval Latin balcōbor. Italian balconebor. English balcony From Italian balcone (“balcony, floor-length window”), from Old Italian balcone (“scaffold”) from Lombardic balk, balko (“beam”), from Proto-Germanic balkô (“beam”), from Proto-Indo-European bʰelǵ- (“beam, pile, prop”). Akin to Old High German balco, balcho (“beam”), Old English balca (“beam, ridge”). More at balk.
Commonly used with the prepositions 'on' (for the platform) or 'in' (when referring to theatre seating).