auditorium
Americannoun
plural
auditoriums, auditoria-
the space set apart for the audience in a theater, school, or other public building.
-
a building for public gatherings; hall.
noun
-
the area of a concert hall, theatre, school, etc, in which the audience sits
-
a building for public gatherings or meetings
Etymology
Origin of auditorium
Explanation
Whenever you check out a concert or a play, you sit in an auditorium — that is, the section of a theater or concert hall reserved for the audience. You can try sitting on the stage, but you'll probably be thrown out. Sometimes auditorium refers to the whole building where performances take place, not just the area for the audience. As the spelling of the word suggests, it's related to the word auditory, meaning "something related to hearing." In fact, auditorium is a Latin term meaning "a place where something is heard," — and of course, as high school and college students know all too well, that can mean lectures as well as concerts or plays.
Vocabulary lists containing auditorium
Common Senses: Aud ("Hear")
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Unit 1: Telling Details
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aud
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And at a Valentine's Day viewing of Wuthering Heights earlier this year, a woman nearby in the auditorium was eating a huge chocolate heart, unwrapping a crinkly wrapper in the process.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
That mixture—curiosity, comfort, fun—was evident from Hagen’s seat in the ship’s auditorium, Aula, inspired by the ceremonial hall External link of the same name at the University of Oslo.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
But to my great surprise, the conversations surrounding the movie, both online and in-person as viewers exited the auditorium and spoke with their friends outside the theater, have been thoughtful and nuanced.
From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026
Plans for the library also show a large auditorium and an outdoor rooftop garden that can host events, according to the video.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
“Good morning, Dr. Throckmorton,” says the whole auditorium.
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
