concourse
n.n. a large, open area in a building where people gather, such as the area around a train station or an airport. It is a formal word for a big, public space.
n. a large, open area or hall in a building, typically used for public gatherings or movement. Often refers to the central area of a railway station or airport.
The travelers gathered on the concourse to wait for their flight.
The new terminal features a vast glass concourse that connects all the different gates and shops.
The architect designed the concourse to serve as a social hub, encouraging spontaneous interactions among passengers while providing a clear path to the departure gates.
From Middle English concours, from Middle French concours and its etymon Latin concursus, concursum, from concurrere (“to run together”). See concur. Doublet of concours.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 19, 2026