Legroom Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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legroom

[หˆleษกruหm ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

space available

Legroom refers to the amount of space available for a person's legs, especially while sitting. It is often discussed in context with seating arrangements in vehicles, airplanes, and other modes of transport. Adequate legroom can significantly affect comfort during travel. Insufficient legroom can lead to discomfort and fatigue, especially on long journeys.

Synonyms

foot space, leg space, seating space.

Examples of usage

  • The airline's seats have very little legroom.
  • Make sure you check the legroom in your rental car.
  • The movie theater had decent legroom between the rows.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Travel and Transportation

  • Airlines often use legroom as a selling point, with 'extra legroom' seats available for those willing to pay more.
  • Standard legroom on airplanes varies between 28 to 34 inches, depending on the airline and aircraft type.
  • The lack of legroom in economy class has led to discussions about passenger comfort and health during flights.

Health and Comfort

  • Insufficient legroom can lead to discomfort, especially on long journeys, contributing to health issues like deep vein thrombosis.
  • Proper legroom is considered important for maintaining good posture during travel, enhancing overall comfort levels.
  • Research has indicated that more generous legroom can improve passenger satisfaction and reduce stress during travel.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often portray cramped travel situations to create tension or humor, highlighting the struggle with limited legroom.
  • Travel blogs frequently review airlines based on the legroom they provide, influencing public perceptions and choices.
  • The concept of legroom has become a part of travel vernacular, often discussed during award shows for airlines and traveler feedback platforms.

Origin of 'legroom'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originated from the combination of 'leg' and 'room', indicating the space available for legs in various settings.
  • First recorded use in the 20th century, it became popular mainly in travel, especially in airplanes and cars.
  • It reflects a key aspect of comfort in transportation, a concern that has grown with increasing travel distances.

The term 'legroom' is a compound word formed from 'leg' and 'room', where 'leg' has Old English origins and relates to the limb of a human or animal, and 'room' traces back to Middle English, meaning space or area. The concept of legroom has become increasingly important in modern transportation and architecture, especially as human comfort standards have evolved over the decades. Initially used in the context of seating, the word gained traction in the 20th century, particularly with the rise of air travel and the need for comfort in tightly packed seating arrangements. As airlines began to compete for passenger comfort, legroom became a major advertising point. Today, the discussion of legroom extends beyond airplanes into various public seating environments, highlighting the growing consciousness of personal space in crowded settings.