amphitheater

noun

am·phi·the·ater ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē(-ə)-tər

also ˈam-pə-ˌthē-

: an oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats ranged about an open space and used in ancient Rome especially for contests and spectacles

: a very large auditorium

: a room with a gallery from which doctors and students may observe surgical operations

: a rising gallery in a modern theater

: a flat or gently sloping area surrounded by abrupt slopes

: a place of public entertainment (as for games or concerts)

amphitheatric

ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-trik

also ˌam-pə-thē-

adjective

or amphitheatrical

ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-kəl

also ˌam-pə-thē-

amphitheatrically

ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē

also ˌam-pə-thē-

adverb

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

And, like much of Italy, Umbria has many ancient treasures from the ancient stone walls surrounding parts of Perugia to the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater in Terni. —

Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025 There’s also an outdoor amphitheater about a mile from the lodge where nature talks are conducted a few nights a week. —

Mariette Williams, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2025 Concert promoting giant Live Nation will run a new 19,000-capacity outdoor amphitheater in Shakopee that’s due to open late next summer. —

Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 12 Dec. 2024 Lainey Wilson is the only other amphitheater headliner confirmed for 2025 so far — the country superstar's show is June 26 — with the Avett Brothers and Cake booked for the BMO Pavilion on June 26 and June 27, respectively. —

Piet Levy, Journal Sentinel, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amphitheater

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amphitheatre, borrowed from Latin amphitheātrum, borrowed from Greek amphithéātron, noun derivative from neuter of amphithéātros "(of a stadium) having seats for spectators all around," from amphi- amphi- + -theātros, derivative of théātron "place for viewing a drama, theater entry 1"

Note: The term is also used in isolated, partially naturalized Old English attestations, as anfiteatrum and anfiteatra.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of amphitheater was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Amphitheater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphitheater. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

amphitheater

noun

am·phi·the·a·ter

ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē-ət-ər

: a building with seats rising in curved rows around an open space on which games and plays take place

: something (as a piece of level ground surrounded by hills) that resembles an amphitheater

Last Updated: 16 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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amphitheater

noun

Synonyms

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near amphitheater

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition