proscenium

noun

pro·​sce·​ni·​um prō-ˈsē-nē-əm 

1

a

: the stage of an ancient Greek or Roman theater

b

: the part of a modern stage in front of the curtain

c

: the wall that separates the stage from the auditorium and provides the arch that frames it

2

a

: foreground sense 1

b

: foreground sense 2

Examples of proscenium in a Sentence

The host walked onto the proscenium.

Recent Examples on the Web

And seeing it all on the on the Civic Theatre’s large proscenium stage, without the boundaries of a TV screen, showcases the beautiful tableaux created by director Thomas Kail and choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025

As the title suggests, the installation’s curved form borrows from proscenium staging, which originated in open-air theaters of ancient Greece and Rome. —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

Her unique position behind love’s proscenium has chipped away at her. —Alexandra Tanner, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025

The brand discipline is punishing; in David Rockwell’s scenic design, even the proscenium has spit curls. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek proskēnion front of the building forming the background for a dramatic performance, stage, from pro- + skēnē building forming the background for a dramatic performance — more at scene

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing proscenium

• proscenium arch

Rhymes for proscenium

• asplenium
• delphinium
• perineum
• ruthenium
• selenium
• vaccinium
• rhenium

Kids Definition

proscenium

noun

pro·​sce·​ni·​um prō-ˈsē-nē-əm 

1

: the part of a stage in front of the curtain

2

: the wall containing the arch that frames the stage