noun

vestibule

/ˈvestɪbjuːl/ · say it: VES·tuh·byool

a small entrance hall before a main room

In Architecture & Design

In more detail

1. (noun) a small entrance room or hall in a building, leading into a larger room or main area

2. (noun) a small cavity or chamber in the inner ear that helps with balance

Examples

1. We removed our coats in the vestibule before entering the main office.
2. The vestibule in your inner ear contains fluid that helps you stay balanced.

How to use vestibule

Vestibule in the architectural sense refers to a transitional space between the outside and the main interior, common in formal buildings. In anatomy, it is a technical term for a specific structure in the inner ear involved in balance and spatial orientation. The word is more formal than casual synonyms like 'entrance' or 'hallway'.

Common phrases

enter the vestibule
vestibule of the ear
vestibule entrance
inner vestibule
small vestibule

Synonyms

entrance hall · foyer · antechamber · lobby · porch

Word family

vestibular (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse vestibule with 'vestiges' or 'vestige', which is unrelated and means a remaining trace or sign of something that no longer exists.

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