amphitheater

noun

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

 also  ˈam-pə-ˌthē-

1

: 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

2

a

: a very large auditorium

b

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

c

: a rising gallery in a modern theater

d

: a flat or gently sloping area surrounded by abrupt slopes

3

: 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

Synonyms

• arena
• auditorium
• garden
• hall
• theater
• theatre

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address

Recent Examples on the Web

Lee said the headphones amplify acoustics like an amphitheater. —Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024

The zoo is packed with Ohio families and children, with crowds starting to gather at an outdoor amphitheater for eclipse viewing. —Matthew Dolan, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024

They will be introduced on the amphitheater stage on Saturday at noon, along with the 2024 NorCal Cherry Blossom Queen and her court. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024

As if to drive home that tennis is a blood sport, Sinner took his trophy to the Colosseum and posed for photos on the floor of the amphitheater, foisting the cup in the air. —Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

The Elk Grove Spring Music Festival will be held May 11 at the Laguna Town Hall amphitheater, 3020 Renwick Ave. —Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024

But a night at the amphitheater is not the only unexpected gateway to the past. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

These are all of the arena, large amphitheater and stadium concerts announced for the area in 2024. —Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024

An amphitheater and an inscription with the city's name were some of the first excavations. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

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

Kids Definition

amphitheater

noun

am·​phi·​the·​a·​ter

ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē-ət-ər

1

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

2

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