noun

vestibule

VES-tih-byool/ˈvestɪbjuːl/

An enclosed entrance space leading into a larger interior.

The vestibule separates the outer door from the main hall.

An architectural cutaway clearly shows a small enclosed entrance chamber between an exterior front door and a much larger interior hall.

Etymology

vestibuleLatinenclosed forecourt; entrance

The Latin word named an enclosed forecourt between a house and the street. That entrance space became the model for an interior hall before a larger room; its deeper origin is unknown.

In context

HISTORY19:51

So this is a door leading to the vestibule that would have then led to the actual presidential box.

The Escape of John Wilkes Booth (S1, E4) | History's Greatest Mysteries | Full Episode

More examples

A small vestibule separates the street from the main hall.
The church's vestibule fills with arriving visitors.
She opens the inner door from the vestibule.

Forms

vestibule · vestibules

Similar words

foyer: A foyer is an entrance hall; a vestibule is often a smaller chamber between exterior and interior doors.
lobby: A lobby is often a larger shared entrance area; a vestibule is a small intervening space.