A venue is the place where an event happens. When a band announces a concert, they tell you the venue so you know where to go: it might be an arena, a theater, or an outdoor park. When your school holds its graduation ceremony, the venue could be the auditorium, the gymnasium, or even a rented hall downtown.

The word helps distinguish between the event itself and where it takes place. The birthday party is the event; the skating rink is the venue. The science fair is the event; the school cafeteria is the venue. Sometimes finding the right venue matters as much as planning the event: a small classroom works for a club meeting, but you'd need a much larger venue for a talent show with hundreds of audience members.

In legal contexts, venue means something slightly different: the location where a trial takes place. Lawyers might argue about which courthouse or city is the proper venue for hearing a case.

You'll often see the word in phrases like “the venue was packed” or “we need to book a venue,” which simply means securing a place where people can gather for whatever you're planning.