spectacle

[spek-tuh-kuhl]

noun

1. anything presented to the sight or view, especially something of a striking or impressive kind.

   The stars make a fine spectacle tonight.

   Synonyms: show, sight, wonder, marvel

2. a public show or display, especially on a large scale.

   The coronation was a lavish spectacle.

3. spectacles. eyeglasses, especially with pieces passing over or around the ears for holding them in place.

4. Often spectacles.

   1. something resembling spectacles in shape or function.

   2. any of various devices suggesting spectacles, as one attached to a semaphore to display lights or different colors by colored glass.

5. Obsolete.,  a spyglass.

spectacle

/ ˈspɛktəkəl /

noun

1. a public display or performance, esp a showy or ceremonial one

2. a thing or person seen, esp an unusual or ridiculous one

   he makes a spectacle of himself

3. a strange or interesting object or phenomenon

4. (modifier) of or relating to spectacles

   a spectacle case

Other Word Forms

• spectacleless adjective
• spectaclelike adjective
• superspectacle noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spectacle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spectacle¹

C14: via Old French from Latin spectaculum a show, from spectāre to watch, from specere to look at

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make a spectacle of oneself, to call attention to one's unseemly behavior; behave foolishly or badly in public.

   They tell me I made a spectacle of myself at the party last night.

Example Sentences

The stars of the show become more than the performers, who are all capable of spectacle, but also Basil Twist, he of the puppetry and fantastical sets, and choreographer Ann Yee.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It's a great spectacle and we're going to have huge crowds again.

Read more on BBC

Along the way, we are treated to the author’s ironic wit and the delightful spectacle of Josie schooling her partner in the social graces he endearingly lacks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The spectacle has rekindled hopes that America can become less polarized and find more common ground.

Read more on Salon

Quite often, a pitch can be described as 'good' when it is friendly for batting, yet that does not always produce the most thrilling spectacle.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• comedy 
• demonstration 
• display 
• drama 
• event 
• extravaganza 
• movie 
• pageant 
• parade 
• performance 
• phenomenon 
• scene 
• sight 
• spectacular 
• tableau