noun
Common
chamber
CHAYM-buh
Chamber (noun) means a room, especially a formal or private one, such as in a palace, court, or legislative building. Example: “The king addressed his court from his private chamber.”
noun
1
A room, especially a formal or private one, such as in a palace, court, or legislative building.
"The king addressed his court from his private chamber."
"The senate chamber fell silent as the vote began."
"The judge asked everyone to leave the chamber while she made her decision."
2
An enclosed space or cavity, such as in a gun or a piece of machinery.
"He checked the chamber to make sure the gun was unloaded."
"Fuel burns inside the combustion chamber of a car engine."
"Divers who surface too quickly may spend time in a pressure chamber."
verb
1
To load a round of ammunition into the firing position of a gun.
"He chambered a round before stepping onto the range."
"The range officer told us not to chamber a round until given the order."
"She carefully chambered a round and waited for the signal to start."
How to use chamber
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA room (often formal or enclosed), or an enclosed cavity such as in a firearm.
Common pairings
chamber of commerce
chamber music
chamber a round
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- chambers
- Past tense
- chambered
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The king addressed his court from his private _____.
Etymology
From Old French chambre, from Latin camera ("vaulted chamber") — a doublet of "camera."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for chamber
See all rhymes for chamber →Frequently asked questions
What does “chamber” mean?
The word “chamber” means a room, especially a formal or private one, such as in a palace, court, or legislative building. In plain terms, a room (often formal or enclosed), or an enclosed cavity such as in a firearm.
How do you pronounce “chamber”?
“Chamber” is pronounced CHAYM-buh (/ˈt͡ʃeɪmbɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “chamber” in a sentence?
Here is “chamber” used in a sentence: “The king addressed his court from his private chamber.”
What is another word for “chamber”?
Words with a similar meaning to “chamber” include lust.
What part of speech is “chamber”?
Depending on how it is used, “chamber” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chamber” come from?
The word “chamber” comes from Latin. From Old French chambre, from Latin camera ("vaulted chamber") — a doublet of "camera.".
Is “chamber” a common word?
“Chamber” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chamber” have?
“Chamber” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a room, especially a formal or private one, such as in a palace, court, or legislative building.
What are the different types of chambers?
The word covers several formal rooms. A legislative chamber is where lawmakers meet, often split into an upper and a lower house. A council chamber hosts local government meetings, a judge's chambers are their private office, and a burial chamber is a sealed room in a tomb. Each is a room set aside for a particular purpose.
What is the difference between a chamber and a room?
Every chamber is a room, but the word 'chamber' is more formal and suggests a space kept for a special or official purpose, such as debate, judgment, or ceremony. An ordinary bedroom or kitchen is simply a room, whereas a place where a parliament sits or a monarch receives guests is a chamber.
What does 'chambers' mean in law?
In legal use, a judge's chambers are their private office, where matters can be heard away from the public courtroom. In Britain, 'chambers' also refers to the offices from which barristers work, often sharing space and staff. Hearings held 'in chambers' take place privately rather than in open court.
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