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

One’s social standing diminished the higher up one sat in the arena.

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

The council plans to take up the issue of arena funding no later than this summer.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026

Major banks, including JP Morgan, have started warning of potential problems in the $3 trillion private credit arena and are tightening lending, especially to some software companies.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Håkon ran toward the other end of the arena, canting this way and that, not entirely able to run as well as Ivan or Anya could.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

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