concourse

noun

con·​course ˈkän-ˌkȯrs 

ˈkäŋ-

1

: an act or process of coming together and merging

2

: a meeting produced by voluntary or spontaneous coming together

3

a

: an open space where roads or paths meet

b

: an open space or hall (as in a railroad or airport terminal) where crowds gather

Synonyms

• corridor
• gallery
• hall
• hallway
• passageway

Examples of concourse in a Sentence

the concourse of the bus terminal

airline passengers had to pass through the security checkpoints before being allowed in the concourse

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Grand Hall, miles of new grout secure 29,000 Guastavino ceiling tiles, while in the south concourse a glass roof now protects original brickwork (miraculously intact despite flooding). —Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2024

Rumors of extended meetings involving Pelinka and Redick in Chicago were one hot topic around the lobby bar and in the arena concourse. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024

Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, were nearly 90 million people traverse its concourses each year, is red carpet-deep in the fray. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2024

The upgrade to daily service comes as the transit concourse begins operations on the street level of The Couture, a 44-story, 322-unit high-rise that begins opening apartments this month. —Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English concours, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin concursus "gathering of a crowd, coming together," noun of action from concurrere "to assemble in haste, resort to in large numbers" — more at concur

Note: For formation of Latin cursus see etymology and note at course entry 1.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

concourse

noun

con·​course ˈkän-kō(ə)rs 

ˈkäŋ-,

-kȯ(ə)rs

1

: a flocking, moving, or flowing together : gathering

2

: a place (as a boulevard, open area, or hall) where many people pass or gather

the concourse of the bus terminal