Zenana
Noun
UK
/zəˈnɑː.nə/
US
/zəˈnɑː.nə/
Definition
A women’s living area in a traditional South Asian home.
Example
"The women met in the zenana to share stories."
"In old houses, the zenana was a private place for women to rest and talk."
"The book described how life in the zenana was peaceful but sometimes lonely."
Explanation
A zenana is the part of a traditional South Asian house where women live separately. In older times, families kept women in this private area for comfort, safety, or tradition. For example, the women gathered in the zenana to talk, sew, and spend time together. It was common in India, Pakistan, and nearby countries in the past. Today, the word is mostly used in history or literature to describe old customs.