Showing results for "theatre"

• a variation of theater.

theatre

American  

[thee-uh-ter, theeuh-] / ˈθi ə tər, ˈθiə- /

noun

1. a variant of theater.

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theatre British  

/ ˈθɪətə /

noun

1. 1. a building designed for the performance of plays, operas, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a theatre ticket

   3. ( in combination )

      a theatregoer

2. a large room or hall, usually with a raised platform and tiered seats for an audience, used for lectures, film shows, etc

3. Also called: operating theatre. a room in a hospital or other medical centre equipped for surgical operations

4. plays regarded collectively as a form of art

5. the world of actors, theatrical companies, etc

   the glamour of the theatre

6. a setting for dramatic or important events

7. writing that is suitable for dramatic presentation

   a good piece of theatre

8. the usual word for cinema

9. a major area of military activity

   the theatre of operations

10. a circular or semicircular open-air building with tiers of seats

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Etymology

Origin of theatre

C14: from Latin theātrum, from Greek theatron place for viewing, from theasthai to look at; related to Greek thauma miracle

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Explanation

A theatre is the place where plays are performed, especially in England, because the normal American spelling of theatre is theater. If you're looking for a night of drama and astonishment, try going to the theatre. Theatre comes from the Ancient Greek theatron, which means a place for showing, or performing. Now we call the place and the stuff performed the same thing. There are theatres where other things happen than plays. A theatre of war is the area in which a war is taking place. If you're fascinated by war but don't have the nerve to be a soldier, why not make theatre about war?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

theatre

On another occasion Kelly's surgery was cut short because the theatre was needed for an urgent case.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

The building also houses the John Wolfson Rare Book Room, a lecture theatre, the Weston Foyer exhibition space and a climate-controlled store for the archive.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

“Her collaborations with visual artists and choreographers and with opera and theatre directors demonstrate the freedom with which she relates to literary expectations and rule systems.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Ferris grew up performing in amateur theatre in Belfast and Lisburn before going to drama school in London in 2012.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

He studied literature and poetry, attended the theatre regularly and continued to play the lute to a high standard.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

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Related Words

• theater
• troupe

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