or EXEDRIA (ἐξ and ἐδρα, a seat), in ancient architecture, a chamber furnished with seats, and opening into a portico, where the philosophers and rhetoricians lectured and held their disputations; or a vestibule in a private house, where people met to enjoy conversation. At Rome this term was applied to any hall or saloon for conversing or disputing in; especially the hall in Pompey's theatre, where the senate met.

In medieval architecture it is sometimes applied to the porch of a church, especially to the Galilee or western porch; and sometimes the apsis was similarly designated.