Ward Room
Preserved but no longer current.
In British warships a mess shared by the Commander — unless he is in command of the vessel, when he messes alone — and all other officers down to and including lieutenants. Junior officers mess in the gun room.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Ward Room” mean?
In British warships a mess shared by the Commander — unless he is in command of the vessel, when he messes alone — and all other officers down to and including lieutenants. Junior officers mess in the gun room.
Is “Ward Room” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.