vestibule

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableformal

   A small lobby or enclosed space just inside the outer door of a building, through which you pass to reach the rest of it.

   Grammar: Countable: a vestibule, the church vestibule.

   Patterns

   • in the vestibule
   • the vestibule of something

   We stamped the snow off our boots in the vestibule.

   Mail is left on a table in the vestibule.

   A second set of glass doors separated the vestibule from the hall.

2. 2nouncountablemedicaltechnical

   A small cavity or space at the entrance to a bodily passage, such as the part of the inner ear that helps with balance.

   Grammar: Often followed by of: the vestibule of the ear.

   Patterns

   • the vestibule of something

   Fluid in the vestibule of the inner ear can cause dizziness.

   The surgeon examined the vestibule of the nose.

   Balance depends partly on signals from the vestibule.

Word forms

Common combinations

church vestibule

We waited in the church vestibule until the service began.

enter the vestibule

Guests enter the vestibule before the main hall.

a vestibule door

The vestibule door was propped open.

vestibule of the ear

A virus can inflame the vestibule of the ear.

Synonyms and how they differ

lobby

A lobby is usually larger and used by many people, such as in a hotel, whereas a vestibule is a small space right at the door.

foyer

A foyer is a bigger entrance hall in a theater or house, while a vestibule is smaller and often just a buffer from the weather.

porch

A porch is outside the front door, but a vestibule is inside the building.

Word family

vestibular adjective

relating to the vestibule of the ear and the sense of balance

vestibulum noun

the Latin form used in anatomy

antevestibule noun

a rare word for an outer vestibule

Commonly confused: vestibule or vestige?

Practice

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