reserved seating

Meaning

This term refers to an event ticketing system where each ticket is assigned to a specific seat, row, and section. When you buy these tickets, your spot is guaranteed, so you do not need to arrive early to secure a place. It is the standard setup for movie theaters, plays, and formal concerts.

Examples

• I love that this movie theater has reserved seating now, so we don't have to rush to get there.

  I love that this movie theater has reserved seating now, so we don't have to rush to get there.

• Make sure to check your ticket carefully; this is a reserved seating event.

  Make sure to check your ticket carefully; this is a reserved seating event.

• We couldn't get seats together because the reserved seating section was almost sold out.

  We couldn't get seats together because the reserved seating section was almost sold out.

• The front ten rows are reserved seating, but the rest of the stadium is general admission.

  The front ten rows are reserved seating, but the rest of the stadium is general admission.

• I paid extra for reserved seating so I wouldn't have to stand in line for hours.

  I paid extra for reserved seating so I wouldn't have to stand in line for hours.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I prefer booked seats over standing.

  ✓ I prefer reserved seating over standing.

  While 'booked' is grammatically correct for a reservation, 'reserved seating' is the standard collocation used by venues.

• ✗ Did you buy a reserved seat ticket?

  ✓ Did you buy a reserved seating ticket?

  We use the noun adjunct form 'reserved seating' to describe the overall ticketing system or section.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I hate rushing to the theater, so I always pay extra for ___.

  💡 Tickets that guarantee you a specific seat.

  Show answer

  reserved seating

• Is this show general admission or ___?

  💡 The opposite of first-come, first-served.

  Show answer

  reserved seating