arena

American  

[uh-ree-nuh] / əˈri nə /

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.

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arena British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of arena

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

Example Sentences

The crowd inside the 20,000-capacity arena was not quite full, but it was loud and partisan.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Gladiatorial combat in the arena was, in the satirist Juvenal’s phrase, “bread and circuses” for the Roman masses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Among the company’s well-known products is “League of Legends,” a multiplayer online battle arena video game played daily by millions of people around the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Raleigh put $300 million toward the arena while Dundon committed to investing $800 million over 20 years toward developing an entertainment district in the surrounding area.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

But he’s wary, looking around the packed arena, and I don’t know why.

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

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