arena

[ uh-ree-nuh ]

noun

1. the oval space in the center of a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats or other performances.
2. a central stage, ring, area, or the like, used for sports or other forms of entertainment, surrounded by seats for spectators:

   a boxing arena; a circus arena.

3. a building housing an arena.
4. a field of conflict, activity, or endeavor:

   the arena of politics.

arena

/ əˈriːnə /

noun

1. 1. an enclosure or platform, usually surrounded by seats on all sides, in which sports events, contests, entertainments, etc, take place

      a boxing arena

   2. ( as modifier )

      arena stage

2. the central area of an ancient Roman amphitheatre, in which gladiatorial contests and other spectacles were held
3. a sphere or scene of conflict or intense activity

   the political arena

Word History and Origins

Origin of arena¹

1620–30; < Latin ( h ) arēna sand, sandy place, area sanded for combat

Word History and Origins

Origin of arena¹

C17: from Latin harēna sand, place where sand was strewn for the combats

Example Sentences

This is a growing business arena, a market attracting lots of players.

From The Daily Beast

The traffic agent was kind enough to direct Sarah discreetly to a closed-off street running behind the arena.

From The Daily Beast

Were it not for them, nobody would have even built the brand new arena where Sarah saw a PRINCESS!

From The Daily Beast

These are cultural questions, not political ones, and they have to be solved in the cultural arena.

From The Daily Beast

We worked in the cultural arena instead, with pioneers like Ellen and Will & Grace.

From The Daily Beast

I am on fire to throw myself into the arena—however, there will be opportunities to make myself known and felt.

From Project Gutenberg

At Arles we witness a great combat of animals, in which the lion of Arles, along with four bulls, is turned loose in the arena.

From Project Gutenberg

A small palm tree was set in the midst of the arena,—the trunk bronze, the leaves one sheen of gold-foil.

From Project Gutenberg

Crossing the arena, one of the men carelessly hit at a bird turning wildly about in its efforts to escape, and killed it.

From Project Gutenberg

He was tethered in the centre of the arena, by one of his hind legs, to a stump about twelve inches high.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• field
• gym
• gymnasium
• park
• ring
• rink
• square
• stadium
• stage