amphitheater

American  

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

Or amphitheatre

noun

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

• amphitheatric
  adjective
• amphitheatrical
  adjective
• amphitheatrically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of amphitheater

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

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

And speaking of visual treats, shows and festivals at the Koka Booth Amphitheater, next to Symphony Lake, are a must-do on the weekends.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

Not just the movie, but Cantrell’s brief moment onstage with the band at the Universal Amphitheater, the storied venue whose incarnation since 2016 has been the Tap-appropriate the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2025

He started June 18, 2023, with a two-day, four-peak trip close to the Canadian border in the Pasayten Wilderness, climbing 8,358-foot Amphitheater Mountain, 8,601-foot Cathedral Peak, 8,685-foot Remmel Mountain and 8,335-foot Windy Peak.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2024

Lavigne will perform in California in Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheater on May 28 and at the Kia Forum on May 30.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2024

For that matter, she would not endorse everything spoken upon her own platform in the Amphitheater, where "free speech" is the motto and the most contradictory opinions are presented.

From The Story of Chautauqua by Hurlbut, Jesse Lyman

Related Words

• auditorium