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

• auditorium

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address

Recent Examples on the Web

On the sunny September day, community members found relief under the new blue shade canopy over the outdoor amphitheater. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025

Another delight is to take visitors for wine or music at Spring Hill Vineyards, in New Preston, which has an outstanding art collection (full disclosure, the stone amphitheater was carved by Mark) or to marvel at the home store RT Facts, in Kent. —Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025

Hundreds gathered Sunday at an outdoor amphitheater to remember Harper Moyski, according to Minneapolis ABC station KSTP. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025

Representatives from Live Nation did not respond when asked about the possibility of moving Farm Aid to the amphitheater or any other Live Nation venues in the region. —Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for amphitheater

• galvanometer
• submillimeter
• aliter
• ammeter
• completer
• demeter
• preheater
• repeater
• saltpetre
• ureter
• beater
• cheater

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