gallery
n. countablen. a room or building where you can look at paintings, sculptures, and other types of art. It can also mean a collection of photos on your phone or computer.
n. a room or building for the display or sale of works of art. In a digital context, it refers to a software interface for viewing a collection of images or media files.
The local art gallery is free to visit on Sundays.
We spent the entire afternoon at the national gallery looking at modern oil paintings.
The architect designed the upper gallery to maximize natural light, ensuring that the delicate watercolors remained visible without being damaged by direct UV exposure.
From Middle English galery, gallerye, from Middle French galerie, gallerie, from Old French galerie, gallerie (“a long portico, a gallery”), from Medieval Latin galeria (“gallery”), of unknown origin. Perhaps an alteration of Latin galilea (“church porch”), probably from Latin Galilaea, Galilee, region of Israel. More at Galilee.
Often used with 'of' to describe the contents, such as a 'gallery of portraits' or a 'photo gallery'.
- 01
peanut gallery
Any source of heckling, unwelcome commentary or criticism, especially from a know-it-all or of an inexpert nature. May also now refer to general audience response: "Let's hear it from the peanut gallery."
- 02
play to the gallery
To appeal to the least sophisticated parts of an audience in order to obtain maximum approval.
- 03
rogues' gallery
Any group of lawbreakers or other disreputable characters.