proscenium

noun

pro·​sce·​ni·​um prō-ˈsē-nē-əm How to pronounce proscenium (audio)
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

Examples of proscenium in a Sentence

The host walked onto the proscenium.
Recent Examples on the Web The project will also reconstruct the entire northern portion of the building, excluding the arcade, restoring it to its original design and allowing for expansion of the basement floor level where the new proscenium theater will be located. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2024 Directors can arrange a proscenium stage, an open black box space or a theater in the round — along with every possible permutation in between. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2023 The renovations also have entailed restoring the auditorium ceiling and Egyptian scarab at the proscenium, removing the balcony and acoustic panels, and reducing the number of seats by 100 to 516. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Nov. 2023 Onstage, performers froze in place until the Met’s golden curtain came down around its gilded proscenium. Joshua Barone, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023 The renovation will allow the Rep to configure its main performing space as either a proscenium or thrust stage, increasing the kinds of shows that can be staged there. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 31 May 2023 But the beam-me-up rays of light are pulled away to reveal a floating proscenium, gilded at the edges and decorated with a landscape mural. Joshua Barone, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2023 Tensions heightened in the bedroom, located at the top of the proscenium stage, which charts unexpected territory, literally and figuratively. Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 The guys with the mics rhyme not from a proscenium, but amidst the crowd. Vulture, 15 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proscenium.' 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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of proscenium was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near proscenium

Cite this Entry

“Proscenium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proscenium. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

proscenium

noun
pro·​sce·​ni·​um prō-ˈsē-nē-əm How to pronounce proscenium (audio)
1
: the part of a stage in front of the curtain
2
: the wall containing the arch that frames the stage

More from Merriam-Webster on proscenium

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