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.
See Examples For:
The Colosseum is not prescriptive about when people should visit, instead directing visitors to guidance from the regional authorities.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
They built some of Rome’s vital monuments, such as the Colosseum.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Army versus Navy at the Roman Colosseum would be a fitting site for these historic rivals, particularly if the game took place in AD 80.
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
Not so long ago, he’d fought for his life in the Roman Colosseum before a cheering ghostly audience.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
The city does not close down for the nine official days of mourning as it used to, although the colosseum will close tonight as a mark of respect.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2025
The media built him up, and as we saw in the Roman colosseum, the thumbs-up can quickly turn to thumbs-down.
From Slate ● Sep. 4, 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
“We had already filmed a promotional video inside the colosseum with Stenson,” Montali said.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 3, 2022
“Then what about building a Roman colosseum or an Egyptian pyramid—like a Lost Worlds theme park?”
From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos
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.
