A balcony is a platform that extends out from the wall of a building, usually on an upper floor, with a railing or wall around it to keep people safe. If you've ever stepped through a door in your bedroom or living room onto a small outdoor area where you can stand and look down at the street or yard below, you've been on a balcony.

Balconies give people a private outdoor space without having to go all the way downstairs. You might see someone watering plants on their balcony, reading a book in the fresh air, or waving to friends on the sidewalk below. In warm climates, families often eat breakfast on their balconies. In crowded cities where homes don't have yards, a balcony becomes precious outdoor space.

The word also refers to the upper seating area in a theater or auditorium. These balcony seats are raised above the main floor, giving audiences a bird's-eye view of the stage. In Shakespeare's time, the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet became famous partly because Juliet speaks from a balcony while Romeo stands in the garden below.

Balconies became popular in architecture because they add beauty to buildings while giving residents access to sunlight and air. The wrought-iron balconies of New Orleans and the carved wooden balconies of Swiss chalets show how different cultures have made this architectural feature their own.