amphitheater

American  

[am-fuh-thee-uh-ter, -thee^uh-ter, am-puh-] / ˈæm fəˌθi ə tər, -ˌθiə tər, ˈæm pə- /

Or amphitheatre

noun

1. 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.

2. any similar indoor or outdoor place for public contests, games, performances, exhibitions, etc.; an arena, stadium, or auditorium.

3. a room having tiers of seats arranged around a central area, in which students and other observers can view surgery, hear lectures, etc.

4. British.

   1. the first section of seats in the gallery of a theater.

   2. a designated section of seats in any part of a theater.

5. a level area of oval or circular shape surrounded by rising ground.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• amphitheatrically
  adverb
• amphitheatrical
  adjective
• amphitheatric
  adjective

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.

Example Sentences

The new amphitheater represents a years-long dream of Mayor Rex Richardson, who began championing an outdoor performance venue on the waterfront in 2023.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Tra Jones, general manager of the new amphitheater and a Long Beach native, said he’s striving to make it feel less stopgap and utilitarian than FivePoint.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

“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

What he wants is a chance to argue to a judge that the city’s speech rules are unenforceable, so he “may return to the amphitheater to speak without fear of further punishment,” Justice Kagan writes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

I follow Cain closely, unable to make heads or tails of our direction until the high, arched walls of the amphitheater rise up in front of us.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Related Words

• auditorium