refectory

Everyday

1. (formal, old) A large dining hall, especially in a monastery, convent, college or old school. tree →
2. A «refectory table» is a long, narrow wooden dining table. tree →

In the lessons

In stories set in monasteries, boarding schools or castles, monks or pupils eat in the refectory. Today most schools say «dining hall», «canteen» (UK/Australia) or «cafeteria» (US). In maths, the refectory may hold rows of tables to count. Phrases: «the school refectory», «a refectory table».

Examples

• The monks ate in silence in the refectory. tree →
• The old school refectory had long wooden tables. tree →
• Breakfast is served in the refectory at 8 o'clock. tree →
• The refectory seats 200 pupils at 20 tables. tree →
• A refectory table stood in the farmhouse kitchen. tree →
• In the story, Harry ate in a huge refectory. tree →
• A hundred of the Abbot's men dined each day with him in his refectory, and fifty knights in velvet coats and gold chains waited upon him daily. tree →

Note

Plural: refectories. Old-fashioned/formal. Modern words: dining hall, canteen, cafeteria, lunchroom.