waiting room

plural waiting rooms · alternative dated waiting-room

1. A room in a public place for people to wait.

   A blind bearing the monogram G.V.T. is pulled down over the waiting room window as if still in mourning for the passing of the railway.

   1941 June, “Notes and News: The Derelict Glyn Valley Tramway”, in Railway Magazine, page 279

   4 more examples

   In the third place, by its situation it serves only for a waiting-room, and a passage to the principal apartments, instead of being reserved, as it ought to be, for entertaining company […]

   1817, Henry Horne, Elements of criticism

   To lovers of Victoriana it will not be necessary to enlarge on the original beauty of many [old stations], but to the modern traveller romantic nostalgia will not compensate for bleak, draughty waiting rooms, ancient sanitation, uncomfortable grimy seats and gas lighting; he is likely to prefer the comforts of a modern car on a winter's morning.

   1962 October, Brian Haresnape, “Focus on B.R. passenger stations”, in Modern Railways, page 249

   At Hanwell, two lifts have been installed along with a refurbished ticket office with accessible window. A new waiting room is being installed on Platform 2, while the one on Platform 3 is being refurbished.

   2020 March 25, “Network News: Step-free access introduced at four Transport for London stations”, in RAIL, page 18

   "This is a particularly good example of a timber railway station, with its Royal connection giving rise to some outstanding internal and external detailing. The swan-necked iron lamps, the porte-cochère and outstanding decoration in the Royal waiting room set the station apart."

   2022 June 29, Dr Joseph Brennan, “Wonderful waiting rooms on the waiting list”, in RAIL, number 960, pages 59–60