/ ˈgæləri; NAmE / noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
a room or building for showing works of art, especially to the public :
an art / a picture gallery
the National Gallery
—see also art gallery
2.
a small private shop / store where you can see and buy works of art
3.
an upstairs area at the back or sides of a large hall where people can sit :
Relatives of the victim watched from the public gallery as the murder charge was read out in court.
—see also press gallery
4.
the highest level in a theatre where the cheapest seats are
5.
a long narrow room, especially one used for a particular purpose
—see also shooting gallery
6.
a level passage under the ground in a mine or cave
•
IDIOMS
- play to the gallery
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in senses 5 and 6): via Old French from Italian galleria gallery, formerly also church porch, from medieval Latin galeria , perhaps an alteration of galilea Galilee.