What does "balcony" mean?

1. (outside a building) a small platform on the outside of a house or apartment where you can sit or stand. 2. (theatre seating) an upper floor in a theatre or cinema with rows of seats.

How do you use "balcony"?

Often used with the preposition 'on'.

balcony

US //ˈbæɫkəni// UK //bˈælkəni// bal·cony

1 outside a building (n.)
A2 Elementary

a small platform on the outside of a house or apartment where you can sit or stand.

an accessible platform extending from an external wall of a building, typically enclosed by a railing.

Example

We sat on the balcony and watched the people walking in the street below.

Example

The apartment features a small north-facing balcony, providing just enough space for a bistro table and a few potted plants.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'on'.
- terrace
- veranda
2 theatre seating (n.)
B1 Intermediate Theatre

an upper floor in a theatre or cinema with rows of seats.

an elevated gallery in a theatre, auditorium, or church, providing additional seating overlooking the main floor.

Example

Our seats were in the front row of the balcony, so we had a great view of the stage.

Example

From our vantage point in the balcony, we could observe the intricate choreography of the entire ensemble without any visual obstructions.
- gallery
- upper circle
- stalls
- pit

Origin

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.