narthex
noun
nar·thex ˈnär-ˌtheks 
1
: the portico of an ancient church
2
: a vestibule leading to the nave of a church
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. 
Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 The piazza outside floods at 80 centimeters (around 30 inches), and water passes the narthex into the church at 88 centimeters (34.5 inches), which has been reinforced up from a previous 65 centimeters (25.5 inches). Colleen Barry, ajc, 20 Oct. 2021 The assault was three-pronged: Water was entering from the piazza, through the narthex; from the crypt windows, while also pushing up from below the Basilica. USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2019 See More
Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 There is a narthex, or entrance hall, brightly lit and full of movement in and out. Diarmaid Macculloch, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020 The piazza outside floods at 80 centimeters (around 30 inches), and water passes the narthex into the church at 88 centimeters (34.5 inches), which has been reinforced up from a previous 65 centimeters (25.5 inches). Colleen Barry, ajc, 20 Oct. 2021 The assault was three-pronged: Water was entering from the piazza, through the narthex; from the crypt windows, while also pushing up from below the Basilica. USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Late Greek narthēx, from Greek, giant fennel, cane, casket
First Known Use
circa 1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1