arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

plural arcades

1

: a long arched building or gallery

2

a

: an arched covered passageway or avenue (as between shops)

b

chiefly British : a building that includes many shops

A job fair … today will introduce locals to the details of the 250 jobs that a new shopping arcade will bring when its doors open this autumn.

—The Journal (Newcastle, England)

3

: a series of arches with their columns or piers

4

: an amusement center having coin-operated games

Examples of arcade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over 800 years later, Bern remains (as does its bears) and its old town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with charming arcades, Renaissance fountains, and an early 13th-century clock tower with a medieval puppet show happening every hour on the hour. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025

According to a report by WCNC, Harvick listed the mansion featuring a pool house, a golf simulator, an arcade, and a gym for sale at $12 million in May 2024. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

As mentioned above, The Wharf is a dining, shopping, and entertainment hub with an arcade and a pier that’s fun to explore. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025

The property also added new amenities such as a pool, a bowling alley, shuffleboard, tennis courts, and an arcade. —Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian arcata, from arco arch, from Latin arcus

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arcade

• amusement arcade
• arcade game
• penny arcade
• video arcade

Rhymes for arcade

• afraid
• allayed
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted
• cascade

Kids Definition

arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

1

: a row of arches with the columns that support them

2

: an arched or covered passageway (as between shops)

3

: a place with many games to be played by putting coins or tokens in them

Medical Definition

arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

1

: an anatomical structure comprising a series of arches

2

: dental arch