amphitheater

noun

am·​phi·​the·​ater ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē(-ə)-tər How to pronounce amphitheater (audio)
 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 How to pronounce amphitheater (audio)
 also  ˌam-pə-thē-
adjective
or amphitheatrical
ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-kəl How to pronounce amphitheater (audio)
 also  ˌam-pə-thē-
amphitheatrically
ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce amphitheater (audio)
 also  ˌam-pə-thē-
adverb

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address
Recent Examples on the Web Their tour, which just added a dozen more amphitheater and arena dates, starts in April and now runs through November. Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 15 Mar. 2024 This is the seventh of nine amphitheater shows announced for the Milwaukee music festival, returning June 20 to 22, June 27 to 29 and July 4 to 6. Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 Live Nation was selected as the operator and booker for The Sunset, a forthcoming $93 million, 12,500-capacity outdoor music amphitheater from developer Notes Live to be built in Broken Arrow, Okla. Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 This place, however, is absolutely real—from the pristine amphitheater lawn to a charming string of food trucks to the crisp white, Instagrammable Seaside Post Office. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024 Those accommodations include the following: One presidential suite and three bay suites on the 8th floor of the amphitheater tower. The Arizona Republic, 6 Feb. 2024 In 2023, Merriweather led the world in concert amphitheater’s gross sales with $34 million, according to Pollstar’s year-end summary, and sold 403,544 tickets. Katherine Fominykh, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2024 The singer, whose real name is Brian Warner, will support the metal group Five Finger Death Punch in amphitheaters and arenas in August and September. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2024 More:Summerfest, Advocate Aurora unveil plans for Aurora Pavilion at prominent festival site More:These are all of the arena, amphitheater and stadium concerts in Milwaukee in 2024 Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amphitheater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of amphitheater was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near amphitheater

Cite this Entry

“Amphitheater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphitheater. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on amphitheater

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