(sə·lon′, Fr. sá·lô′) noun
1. A room in which guests are received; a drawing-room.
2. The periodic gathering or reception of noted persons, under the auspices of some distinguished woman, especially in Paris in the 17th and 18th centuries.
3. A hall or gallery used for exhibiting works of art.
4. An exhibition of works of art.
5. An establishment devoted to some specific purpose: a beauty salon. [<F <Ital. salone, aug. of sala a room, hall <OHG sal]

(sə·lon′, Fr. sá·lô′) noun
An annual exhibition of works by living artists at the Grand Palais des Champs Elysées in Paris: so called because formerly held in the Salon Carré of the Louvre. Since 1891 there have been two rival Salons in Paris, the Salon of the Champs Élysées, or Old Salon, and the Salon of the Champ de Mars, or New Salon, which both exhibit in the Grand Palais.