amphitheater
Americannoun
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an open-air, oval or round building with tiers of seats around a central open area, as those used in ancient Rome for gladiatorial contests.
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any similar indoor or outdoor place for public contests, games, performances, exhibitions, etc.; an arena, stadium, or auditorium.
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a room having tiers of seats arranged around a central area, in which students and other observers can view surgery, hear lectures, etc.
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British.
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the first section of seats in the gallery of a theater.
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a designated section of seats in any part of a theater.
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a level area of oval or circular shape surrounded by rising ground.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of amphitheater
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin amphitheātrum, from Greek amphithéātron; see amphi-, theater
Explanation
The "amphi" of amphitheater means "on both sides" in Greek. Ancient amphitheaters were exactly as described: open-air theaters that allowed spectators to sit on both sides of the action. Today, the word amphitheater is used to mean any large, semicircular theater space. Often, although not always, they are outdoor spaces where concerts, theater, and other performances can be held. The Hollywood Bowl is an example of a modern amphitheater, where groups like Monty Python and the Beatles have performed. An amphitheater is also a large gallery overlooking an operating room in a hospital — usually used for teaching purposes.
Vocabulary lists containing amphitheater
Ancient Rome - Introductory
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This Week in Pop Culture: January 19 - 25, 2019
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Ancient Rome - Middle School and High School
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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.
“We see across the board, whether it’s a club show — whether it’s an amphitheater in Indianapolis or an expensive stadium show in New York — we’ve seen no demand pullback anywhere.”
From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026
Mr. Olivier is trying to challenge an ordinance in Brandon, Miss., that restricts protests near a public amphitheater.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
At the center is an open-air amphitheater and waterfall ringed by glass buildings and shaded by well-kept trees.
From Slate • Oct. 30, 2025
The waterfall was still running, though the amphitheater the water feeds into was sealed behind a wall of steel barricades.
From Slate • Oct. 30, 2025
Marcus repeats the vow, his voice echoing in the breathless silence of the amphitheater.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
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.
