# vestibule

/ˈvɛstɪbˌjuɫ/ (US) · /vˈɛstɪbjˌuːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vestibule
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. architecture

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a small entrance hall or room between the outer door and the main part of a building.

For teachers: a small antechamber or passage between the outer door and the interior of a building, such as a lobby or hall.

- We left our wet umbrellas in the vestibule before entering the main house.
- The architect designed a glass-walled vestibule to act as a thermal buffer between the harsh winter air and the building's interior.

Usage: Commonly used in descriptions of older or formal buildings, such as churches and grand houses.

### 2. anatomy

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small space or cavity in the body that leads to another area.

For teachers: any of several bodily cavities or channels that serve as an entrance to another space, particularly in the ear or mouth.

- The doctor explained that the problem was located in the vestibule of the inner ear.
- The vestibular system, located within the vestibule of the inner ear, is essential for maintaining a sense of balance and spatial orientation.

Usage: Usually functions as a technical term in medical or biological contexts.

## Examples

- The hotel lobby is located just beyond the main vestibule.
- After entering through the glass vestibule, guests are greeted by the hotel's main reception desk.
- The architect designed a grand vestibule to serve as a buffer against the elements, ensuring that the interior's delicate frescoes remained protected from sudden temperature shifts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.