A stall is a small enclosure of some kind, usually less enclosed than a room.
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A market stall is usually an immobile temporary structure erected by merchants to display and shelter their merchandise. Such stalls are easily erected or taken down to allow movement to a new market area.
Some commercial marketplaces, including market squares or flea markets, may erect (or allow merchants to erect) more permanent stalls. Conversely, some stalls incorporate wheels, tow hitches, or other devices to make transportation of the stall easier. Most can be closed and locked when not in use.
A merchant will sometimes use an open-air stall in front of a more permanent store building in order to entice passers-by with eye-catching goods or discounts. Such a stall can be taken indoors and locked up after business hours.
Stalls are commonly used by farmers' markets and street food vendors, and may also appear as display areas at fairs and conventions.
An animal stall is an enclosure housing one or a few animals. Often this too can be a temporary or permanent enclosure at a market (see above) but stalls for animals can often be found wherever animals are kept: a horse stable is often a purpose-built and permanent structure. A farmer's barn may be subdivided into animal stalls or pens for cows and other livestock.
In horse care, the standard dimensions for a box stall vary from 10' by 12' to 14' by 14', depending on local cultural traditions, the breed of horse, gender, and any special needs. Mares with foals often are kept in double stalls. Stallions, kept alone with less access to turnout, are also often given larger quarters. Ponies sometimes are kept in smaller box stalls, and warmbloods or draft horses may need larger ones. Box stalls usually contain a layer of absorbent bedding such as straw or wood shavings and need to be cleaned daily.