The term "nave" refers to the central part of a church building. It typically extends from the main entrance or rear wall toward the transepts, or in churches lacking transepts, toward the chancel.
In basilica-type buildings that contain side aisles, the strict definition of the nave is restricted to the central aisle. However, in a broader and more colloquial sense, the term can include all areas designated for lay worshippers, such as the side aisles and transepts. Regardless of the specific definition used, the nave remains distinct from the areas reserved specifically for the clergy and the choir.