hallway
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈɔːlweɪ/
US
- /ˈhɔlˌweɪ/
Description
- An indoor passage connecting rooms
- corridor
- passage inside a building
Imagine a house settling in for the night. The living room buzzes with conversation, the kitchen smells of warm cookies, but how do you get from one to the other? That's where the hallway comes in. A hallway is an indoor passage that connects rooms or parts of a building. It is more than empty space; it is the part you walk through to reach somewhere else. In many homes, schools, hotels, and offices, this space may hold family photos, coat racks, or a rug, but its main job is still to connect one place to another. Sometimes it is also called a corridor or passage.
A hallway is an enclosed passageway within a building that connects rooms—think of it as the circulatory system of a house, school, or office. It's more than just a route; hallways often serve as transitional spaces, offering glimpses into other areas and providing access to different parts of a structure.
While most hallways are straight, they can also be winding, L-shaped, or even circular. They vary greatly in size and decoration—some are wide and grand, adorned with artwork and furniture, while others are narrow and functional, simply providing a way to get from point A to point B.
You'll find hallways in all sorts of buildings: homes, schools, hospitals, hotels, and offices. They are essential for navigation and organization within any structure. Consider the iconic hotel hallways in the film The Shining; the long, symmetrical corridors are used to amplify an unsettling, claustrophobic atmosphere. So next time you walk through one, remember it's more than just a passage; it's a connector, a transition, and sometimes, even a character in its own right.
Examples
- 1
Home layout
There’s a bathroom at the end of the hallway.
- 2
Sounds nearby
I heard footsteps in the hallway outside my door.
- 3
School
The kids ran down the hallway when the bell rang.
- 4
Private conversation
We spoke quietly in the hallway after the meeting.
- 5
Empty space
His voice echoed through the long, empty hallway.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hallwaynoun
Forms
- hallwayspluralnoun