dining-halls

Where students eat

Dining-halls is the plural of dining hall, a large room where meals are served to groups of people.

The term typically describes cafeteria-style spaces in schools, universities, military bases, or other institutions: The college dining-halls were packed during lunch hour.

British English often hyphenates the compound; American English usually does not.

institutional

cafeteria

Self-service dining facility

  • trayShallow portable platform
  • buffetSelf-service meal display
  • commonsShared community resources

refectory · canteen · dormitory · campus · seating · capacity · self-service · communal · all-you-can-eat · dishwashing

social

fellowship

Mutual goodwill among companions

camaraderie · community · socializing · freshman · announcements · traditions · grace · rituals · bonding · inclusion

architecture

benches

Multi-person seats or sidelines

medieval · Hogwarts · Oxford · Cambridge · banners · fireplace · alcoves · dais · college · ceremonial

Opposites
dining privacy/exclusivity

dining-hallsVIP rooms

Exclusive spaces for important guests

booth seating

formality of dining venue

dining-hallscountry clubs

Exclusive membership venues

institutional vs. commercial dining

dining-hallsrestaurants

Commercial dining venues

food courts · fast food restaurants · diners · bistros

Family

dining, halls, dine, hall, dines, diners, dining-hall

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G