amphitheater

or am·phi·the·a·tre

[ am-fuh-thee-uh-ter, -theeuh-ter, am-puh- ]
See synonyms for amphitheater on Thesaurus.com
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.

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

  2. British.

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

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

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

Origin of amphitheater

1
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin amphitheātrum, from Greek amphithéātron; see amphi-, theater

Other words from amphitheater

  • am·phi·the·at·ric [am-fuh-thee-a-trik], /ˌæm fə θiˈæ trɪk/, am·phi·the·at·ri·cal, adjective
  • am·phi·the·at·ri·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby amphitheater

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use amphitheater in a sentence

  • He roomed there with another kid, a goalie and all they did was walk to the old amphitheater for practice and back again.

  • The place chosen to camp was a natural amphitheater which ran back into the mountains.

  • A broad terrace ran around the amphitheater at the height of the topmost row of seats.

    The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone Johnston
  • After the amphitheater was devised the circus came to be used for races exclusively and the spna became permanent.

    The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone Johnston
  • In the circus, too, combats of gladiators sometimes took place, but these were more frequently in the amphitheater.

    The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone Johnston
  • The temple was built like a gigantic amphitheater, like some large bowl in which athletic contests were held.

    The Lost Warship | Robert Moore Williams