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

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

“I’m such a weirdo, anxiety-ridden, stressed-out control freak. I don’t know how to have fun, so I’m doing my best,” Linda Perry told the crowd at a sold-out Roxy Theatre last December.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

I was there for your special taping at El Rey Theatre and the audience was a super fun mix and the venue is such a knockout.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

On Monday, it was Wu Yize - who had defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a compelling final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

AFP attended a recent rehearsal at the Theatre des Trois Pierrots in Saint-Cloud, west of Paris.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln and his wife attended a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• theater
• troupe