amphitheater

American  

[am-fuh-thee-uh-ter, -thee^uh-ter, am-puh-] / ˈæm fəˌθi ə tər, -ˌθiə tər, ˈæm pə- /

Or amphitheatre

noun

• amphitheaters
  plural

1. an open-air, oval or round building with tiers of seats around a central open area, as those used in ancient Rome for gladiatorial contests.

2. any similar indoor or outdoor place for public contests, games, performances, exhibitions, etc.; an arena, stadium, or auditorium.

3. a room having tiers of seats arranged around a central area, in which students and other observers can view surgery, hear lectures, etc.

4. British.

   1. the first section of seats in the gallery of a theater.

   2. a designated section of seats in any part of a theater.

5. a level area of oval or circular shape surrounded by rising ground.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• amphitheatric
  adjective
• amphitheatrical
  adjective
• amphitheatrically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• amphitheaters
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of amphitheater

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin amphitheātrum, from Greek amphithéātron; see amphi-, theater

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Explanation

The "amphi" of amphitheater means "on both sides" in Greek. Ancient amphitheaters were exactly as described: open-air theaters that allowed spectators to sit on both sides of the action. Today, the word amphitheater is used to mean any large, semicircular theater space. Often, although not always, they are outdoor spaces where concerts, theater, and other performances can be held. The Hollywood Bowl is an example of a modern amphitheater, where groups like Monty Python and the Beatles have performed. An amphitheater is also a large gallery overlooking an operating room in a hospital — usually used for teaching purposes.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

amphitheater amphitheaters

There is also a garden dining patio and an amphitheater tucked into the lush property.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Visiting the amphitheater where he was nearly killed, he says he has achieved something like closure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Here’s a rundown, starting with getting to the amphitheater.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

The nearly two-hour video showed a sprawling compound fitted out with lavish features, including a tea house, an amphitheater and a helipad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

After dinner, the campers headed toward the amphitheater, where Apollo’s cabin promised an awesome sing-along to pick up our spirits, but Nico turned and disappeared into the woods.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan

More than 143 million tickets had been sold through mid-July, a record, with “mid-teens” sales gains across stadiums, arenas and amphitheaters, the company said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

The case turned on claims that Live Nation bullied venues and artists, and kept prices high by shutting other ticketers out of key amphitheaters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026

All other American amphitheaters owned by Live Nation have to be allowed to sell up to half of a given event’s tickets through a different provider, if they so wish, without fear of retaliation.

From Slate ● Mar. 10, 2026

The key points of the settlement include an over $200-million payment, a divestment from some amphitheaters, a gradual end to exclusive ticketing contracts with venues, and opening up Ticketmaster’s platform to competitors.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2026

The largest of these amphitheaters was the Colosseum, the ruins of which still exist.

From Introductory American History by Henry Eldridge Bourne

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Related Words

• auditorium

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