mezzanine

noun

mez·​za·​nine ˈme-zə-ˌnēn How to pronounce mezzanine (audio)
ˌme-zə-ˈnēn
1
: a low-ceilinged story between two main stories of a building
especially : an intermediate story that projects in the form of a balcony
2
a
: the lowest balcony in a theater
b
: the first few rows of such a balcony

Examples of mezzanine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Types Of Private Credit The four types of private credit are direct lending, mezzanine loans, distressed debt and special situation loans. — Bruce Werner, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 During a recent tech rehearsal for the Broadway play, the wide-eyed cast has huddled in the mezzanine to catch a glimpse of the creature in action, unfurling its gnarly tentacles in a maelstrom of billowing smoke and flashing red lights. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 Ticket prices begin at $595 for seats in the second and third mezzanines and are available for purchase at the Tony Awards’ website and Ticketmaster. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 24 Apr. 2025 Here are 10 churches transformed through adaptive reuse in Charlotte.] Upstairs, there’s a semi-private 40-seat mezzanine with a bar that evokes a choir loft. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mezzanine

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian mezzanino, from mezzano middle, from Latin medianus middle, median

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mezzanine was in 1711

Rhymes for mezzanine

See All Rhymes for mezzanine

Browse Nearby Words

mezza majolica
mezzanine
mezza orchestra
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mezzanine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mezzanine. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

mezzanine

noun
mez·​za·​nine ˈmez-ᵊn-ˌēn How to pronounce mezzanine (audio)
ˌmez-ᵊn-ˈēn
1
: a story between two main stories of a building often in the form of a balcony
2
: the lowest balcony in a theater or its first few rows

More from Merriam-Webster on mezzanine

Nglish: Translation of mezzanine for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Rare and Amusing Insults, Volume 3

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All