spectacle
Americannoun
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anything presented to the sight or view, especially something of a striking or impressive kind.
The stars make a fine spectacle tonight.
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a public show or display, especially on a large scale.
The coronation was a lavish spectacle.
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spectacles. eyeglasses, especially with pieces passing over or around the ears for holding them in place.
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Often spectacles.
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something resembling spectacles in shape or function.
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any of various devices suggesting spectacles, as one attached to a semaphore to display lights or different colors by colored glass.
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Obsolete. a spyglass.
idioms
noun
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a public display or performance, esp a showy or ceremonial one
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a thing or person seen, esp an unusual or ridiculous one
he makes a spectacle of himself
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a strange or interesting object or phenomenon
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(modifier) of or relating to spectacles
a spectacle case
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of spectacle
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin spectāculum “sight, spectacle,” from spectā(re) “to look at,” literally, “to look repeatedly” (from specere “to look, regard, see”) + -culum -cle 2
Explanation
A spectacle is something you can't believe you are seeing. Get on top of your desk at work in your underpants while playing the kazoo and you're making a spectacle of yourself. The word spectacle comes from the Latin spectaculum meaning "public show," an apt translation because a spectacle, like a public show, is something worth watching. A ballet is a spectacle, or an elaborate production worth watching. Often the word is used to describe something that has a particularly exciting visual element to it — like an acrobatic display or a magic trick. It's something you have to see to really appreciate.
Vocabulary lists containing spectacle
Party Parlance for Mardi Gras
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Common Senses: Spec, Spect, Spic ("Look")
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Chains
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
For Homan, the spectacle is especially revealing because toughness is his entire brand.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026
Excitement for the global soccer spectacle has progressively waned as countries with large diasporas in the city -- like Mexico and Egypt -- have been ejected.
From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026
Theater Works record plays at UCLA’s Melnitz Hall, where the primal storytelling of actors reading lines and Foley artists adding sounds riveted me more than a Broadway spectacle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
"We'd obviously all wanted England to win but one of the experiences of touring is seeing a spectacle like that in a different part of the world."
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
One German soldier called the day’s battle “an amazing spectacle of unexampled gallantry, courage and bull-dog determination on both sides.”
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
Plain and cursed with spectacles, Mary’s on a speed train to spinsterhood when her relatives summon her to London, where suitors await.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
Some fasts last only hours; others are carefully staged media spectacles with banners, platforms and live television coverage.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026
Weddings are spectacles, and a couple’s budget can say a lot about what matters to them.
From Slate ● Jul. 10, 2026
Soon, the wireframe spectacles – often sitting comically askew on her nose – becomes a charming signature look for her, especially during the series’ more romantic scenes.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026
Mrs. Martin peered at me over her spectacles.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
