chambers

Meanings

1. 1nounplurallaw

   A set of private offices, especially those used by lawyers or a judge.

   Grammar: Takes a plural verb: 'His chambers are near the court.'

   Patterns

   • someone's chambers
   • in chambers

   The barrister invited us to her chambers to discuss the case.

   Their chambers are on the top floor of the old courthouse.

2. 2nounplurallaw

   A judge's private room where legal matters are heard without the public present.

   Grammar: Often used in the fixed phrase 'in chambers', meaning not in open court.

   Patterns

   • in chambers
   • a hearing in chambers

   The judge dealt with the matter in chambers rather than in open court.

   Sensitive family cases are often heard in chambers.

3. 3nounplural

   The plural of 'chamber': rooms, especially bedrooms or large formal rooms.

   Grammar: This is simply the plural form of the countable noun 'chamber'.

   Patterns

   • the chambers of a building
   • private chambers

   The palace has several beautifully decorated private chambers.

   Guests were shown to their chambers after dinner.

Word forms

Common combinations

in chambers

The hearing took place in chambers, so the press stayed outside.

a judge's chambers

She was called into the judge's chambers for a private word.

barristers' chambers

He joined one of the largest barristers' chambers in London.

private chambers

The king retired to his private chambers.

Synonyms and how they differ

office

Use 'office' for any workplace room; 'chambers' is more formal and mainly legal.

court

A 'court' is the place where cases are publicly heard; 'chambers' is a judge's private room.

Word family

chamber noun

A single room, especially a bedroom or a large formal hall.

chambermaid noun

A woman employed to clean bedrooms in a hotel.

Commonly confused: chambers or chamber?

Practice

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