Colosseum
noun
an ancient amphitheater in Rome, begun a.d. c70 by Vespasian, having the form of an oval 617 by 512 feet (188 by 156 meters).
Colosseum
American
[kol-uh-see-uhm]
/ ˌkɒl əˈsi əm /
noun
-
an ancient amphitheater in Rome, begun a.d. c70 by Vespasian, having the form of an oval 617 by 512 feet (188 by 156 meters).
-
(lowercase) coliseum.
colosseum
1
British
/ ˌkɒləˈsɪəm /
noun
Colosseum
2
British
/ ˌkɒləˈsɪəm /
noun
Colosseum
Cultural
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According to tradition, persecuted Christians (see also Christian) were fed to lions in the Colosseum for the entertainment of the Romans. (See also bread and circuses.)
Some of the contests staged in the Colosseum were between gladiators, who fought with swords; some were between people and animals. The arena could even be flooded for mock sea battles.
Etymology
Origin of Colosseum
< Latin, noun use of neuter of colossēus gigantic < Greek kolossiaîos, equivalent to koloss ( ós ) colossus + -iaios adj. suffix
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.
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The Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the world, was built in the first century and was used to host events like animal hunts and gladiatorial games.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
Many of these tourists are visiting multiple times a year, stopping at the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum, but also taking country walks in the Cotswolds and Viking cruises on the Danube.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
An early-morning tour of the Colosseum or a private winery visit can be expensive, but Buzzanca says a lot of his clients are willing to pay the extra costs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
The Rajasekhar family raised their arms in front of the giant misting machine opposite the Colosseum in Rome.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
Percy had been intimidating enough before - summoning hurricanes, duelling pirates, killing giants in the Colosseum...
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Yet there was a strong feeling of the unknown when I made the ring walk for my bare knuckle debut in a bullfighting arena in Marbella which looked like a mini colosseum.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2024
A plaster cast of each player's torso greets them as they enter the massive stage where they initially gather, rendering them awestruck at the sight of this cross between a colosseum and a museum.
From Salon ● Feb. 20, 2023
It’s always great to play in the colosseum of tennis,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion added.
From Seattle Times ● May 10, 2022
I guess a red building, surrounded by columns that encircle it, almost like the colosseum vibes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2022
The colosseum was packed to its rounded walls.
From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks
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.
