arcade

[ahr-keyd]

noun

1. Architecture.

   1. a series of arches supported on piers or columns.

   2. an arched, roofed-in gallery.

2. an arched or covered passageway, usually with shops on each side.

3. an establishment, public area, etc., containing games of a mechanical and electronic type, as pinball and video games, that can be played by a customer for a fee.

4. an ornamental carving, as on a piece of furniture, in the form of a row of arches.

verb (used with object)

arcaded, arcading 

1. to provide with an arcade.

arcade

/ ɑːˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a set of arches and their supporting columns

2. a covered and sometimes arched passageway, usually with shops on one or both sides

3. a building, or part of a building, with an arched roof

Word History and Origins

Origin of arcade¹

First recorded in 1725–35; from French, from Italian arcata “arch,” equivalent to arc(o) “arch” + -ata; arc -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of arcade¹

C18: from French, from Italian arcata, from arco, from Latin arcus bow, arch

Example Sentences

For more than a century it has entertained generations of families with its mixture of classic rides and nostalgic arcades.

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On Thursday, Paramount also announced a multi-year global distribution deal with Legendary Entertainment, the first film of which will be an adaptation of the classic arcade game “Street Fighter.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I love roller coasters. I love that carnival energy going on. I love arcades. I love everything about that festive outdoor thing, and I’ve never grown out of it.”

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Combine the word “adult” and “arcade” and recognizable spaces — say, Dave & Buster’s — instantly come to mind.

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The hotel entrance is framed by an arch that echoes those in Ojai’s downtown arcade building.

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Related Words

• gallery 
• mall 
• walkway