coliseum

noun

col·​i·​se·​um ˌkä-lə-ˈsē-əm 

1

capitalized : colosseum sense 1

2

: a large sports stadium or building designed like the Colosseum for public entertainments

Synonyms

• bowl
• circus
• colosseum
• stadium

Examples of coliseum in a Sentence

the local coliseum is a standard stop for rock bands on tour

Recent Examples on the Web

Great civilizations have left behind statues—and coliseums and pyramids. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025

Still others have crowded into a coliseum in Cúcuta, the region’s main city, lining up each morning for food and assistance. —Julie Turkewitz, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025

Beef liver may not be a gladiator-crushing lion ready to dethrone kale in some fictive nutritional coliseum. —Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025

The lush, five-star, Orange County resort also boasts a striking coliseum pool, ocean-view golf, a handful of bar and dining establishments and plenty of picturesque walking paths. —Dahvi Shira, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin Colosseum, Colisseum

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coliseum

• athenaeum
• colosseum
• mausoleum
• mycelium
• corneum
• hordeum
• luteum
• lyceum
• museum
• endothelium
• periosteum
• peritoneum

Kids Definition

coliseum

noun

col·​i·​se·​um ˌkäl-ə-ˈsē-əm 

: a large structure (as a stadium) for athletic contests or public entertainment

Etymology

from the Latin spelling used in the Middle Ages for the Colosseum, a great outdoor arena in ancient Rome