loft

Upper space within a building, often open on one side, used for storage or other purposes (e.g., sleeping loft, hayloft). The term also refers to one of the upper floors in a factory or warehouse, typically undivided by partitions and now often converted to other uses, such as residences or artists' studios. In churches the rood loft is a display gallery above the rood screen (see cathedral), and a choir or organ loft is a gallery reserved for church singers and musicians. In theaters, the loft is the area above and behind the proscenium.

Find more information on loft. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on loft.