arena

[uh-ree-nuh]

noun

1. the oval space in the center of a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats or other performances.

2. a central stage, ring, area, or the like, used for sports or other forms of entertainment, surrounded by seats for spectators.

   a boxing arena; a circus arena.

3. a building housing an arena.

4. a field of conflict, activity, or endeavor.

   the arena of politics.

arena

/ əˈriːnə /

noun

1. 1. an enclosure or platform, usually surrounded by seats on all sides, in which sports events, contests, entertainments, etc, take place

      a boxing arena

   2. ( as modifier )

      arena stage

2. the central area of an ancient Roman amphitheatre, in which gladiatorial contests and other spectacles were held

3. a sphere or scene of conflict or intense activity

   the political arena

Word History and Origins

Origin of arena¹

1620–30; < Latin ( h ) arēna sand, sandy place, area sanded for combat

Word History and Origins

Origin of arena¹

C17: from Latin harēna sand, place where sand was strewn for the combats

Example Sentences

The bottom line: Crashes are as inevitable in the crypto arena as they are for the stock market.

Read more on MarketWatch

The assets sent to the Caribbean have been deployed to American conflict arenas before.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a statement, the Clippers said Ballmer and his family are “focused on sustainability” and built the Clippers’ home arena at the leading edge of environmental design.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“This is very close to middle-schoolers’ previous favorite number, 69,” Sean Rainville, a math YouTuber, says of the figure charged with innuendo that once had no rival in the number arena.

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“There was a random table with all the merch in the entire arena. It was basically just a guy with some T-shirts.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• field 
• gym 
• gymnasium 
• park 
• ring 
• rink 
• square 
• stadium 
• stage