What does legroom mean?
Legroom means the amount of space available for someone's legs, especially when seated in an aircraft, train, bus, car, or theatre. It is especially important in travel descriptions, where passengers compare the legroom of different classes and seat layouts. A generous seat allows the knees to remain comfortable and the legs to be stretched or crossed, while cramped legroom can make even a relatively short journey unpleasant. The word can also describe room to stand up, walk around, or move one's legs in a confined space. Although it is formed from “leg” and “room,” it is not restricted to seats: it can refer to legroom under a desk, in a vehicle cabin, or around a bench. The term is natural in both British and American English.
nounSpace available for a passenger's legs, especially in a vehicle, aircraft, or other seating area. It can also refer to the amount of room provided for moving or stretching one's legs.
- Space available for a passenger's legs, especially in a vehicle or aircraft.
- Space that permits a person to move or stretch their legs.
"The coach offers generous legroom for passengers travelling on longer journeys."
"The business-class cabin provides enough legroom to work comfortably during the flight."
"The old sofa offers little legroom, making it uncomfortable for tall people to sit on."
Usually singular and uncountable in ordinary use; “legrooms” is occasional and more typical of formal or technical writing.
"The design includes separate legrooms for each passenger."
Legroom is the hidden luxury of travel: the difference between a journey that feels spacious and one that leaves you folded into your seat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of legroom
Legroom is a compound formed from the English words “leg” and “room.” Both elements are of Germanic origin, with “leg” related to Old English “leg” and “room” continuing Old English “rūm,” meaning space. The compound is used for the space needed to accommodate or extend the legs, especially in seated transport.
How legroom is actually used
Legroom is common in travel, transport, and furniture contexts. It is usually treated as an uncountable noun, although the plural form is used occasionally in formal or technical writing.
Easily confused with legroom
Legroom is primarily the space available to extend or move one's legs, whereas footroom refers to the unobstructed floor space available for one's feet.