1. A semicircular or rectangular recess or alcove in a building, often with a bench or seats, used for conversation or rest in ancient Greek and Roman architecture.
Usage: architecture; historical

Examples

• The exhedra in the Roman bathhouse provided a cool, shaded space for visitors to relax.
• Archaeologists discovered an exhedra with marble benches in the ruins of the ancient gymnasium.
• The garden featured a stone exhedra where guests could sit and enjoy the view.
• The exhedra's curved walls created excellent acoustics for philosophical discussions.
• Wealthy Romans often decorated their exhedras with mosaics and sculptures.