A
virtual area where
like-minded people can meet and
discuss topics of mutual interest. This may be
IRC, or a
Java applet on a
web page, or
ICQ, or some other
program altogether.
Chatrooms offer pleasant conversation and discussion, but also a very real risk--on the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog. The person on the other end could be a nice, charming man or woman as he sounds--or he could be spoofing the opposite gender, or he could even be a pedophile.
Also, a visible or invisible user might be logging everything you say, and might use it against you later, or someone could send you a virus vis DCC.
This is not to say that using a chatroom cannot be a pleasant, fulfilling leisure activity...but caveat emptor. Know who the people you're chatting with are before arranging anything important--especially a meeting in real life.