arena
[uh-ree-nuh]
- the oval space in the center of a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats or other performances.
- 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.
- a building housing an arena.
- a field of conflict, activity, or endeavor: the arena of politics.
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Origin of arena
1620–30; < Latin (h)arēna sand, sandy place, area sanded for combat
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for arena
Contemporary Examples
The traffic agent was kind enough to direct Sarah discreetly to a closed-off street running behind the arena.
His policies made the workplace a Hunger Games arena of its own.
Fumes filled the arena, engines revved, and the beastly vehicles made their way out on to the spotlight.
He lamented that, “American politics has often been an arena for angry minds.”
The past few years of ugly gridlocked bloodsport politics have driven many Americans out of the arena in disgust.
Historical Examples
He saw the ocean world an arena into which rushed all nations but ours.
The HarborErnest Poole
The United States entered the arena and called for his services.
The Age of InventionHolland Thompson
He had had his bout; the sands of the arena that once had shone golden now were dust.
The StrollersFrederic S. Isham
Men were bringing tall hurdles outward to place them in the arena.
Mixed FacesRoy Norton
Lydia sprang into the arena, to save him, and because she was the one who had the latest news.
The PrisonerAlice Brown
arena
- an enclosure or platform, usually surrounded by seats on all sides, in which sports events, contests, entertainments, etc, take placea boxing arena
- (as modifier)arena stage
- the central area of an ancient Roman amphitheatre, in which gladiatorial contests and other spectacles were held
- a sphere or scene of conflict or intense activitythe political arena
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin harēna sand, place where sand was strewn for the combats
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for arena
n.
1620s, "place of combat," from Latin harena "place of combat," originally "sand, sandy place," perhaps from Etruscan. The central stages of Roman amphitheaters were strewn with sand to soak up the blood.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper