common area

common area (plural common areas)

1. A piece of land or a room that is designed for the use of multiple visitors to or inhabitants of a place.

   The dorm offered students the choice of retreating to the privacy of their rooms, or mingling in the common area.

2. (law) In a condominium or other cooperative residential facility, an area owned by the organization that oversees the facility, but is not owned by any specific resident.

• commons