naumachia

noun

nau·​ma·​chia nȯ-ˈmā-kē-ə  -ˈma- 

plural naumachiae nȯ-ˈmā-kē-ˌē 

-kē-ˌī,

-ˈma-

or naumachias

1

: an ancient Roman spectacle representing a naval battle

2

: a place for naumachiae

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek, naval battle, from naus ship + machesthai to fight — more at nave

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1