Main Entry:

sta·di·um

Pronunciation:

\ˈstā-dē-əm\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural -dia \-dē-ə\ or sta·di·ums

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek stadion

Date:

14th century

1 a: any of various ancient Greek units of length ranging in value from 607 to 738 feet (about 185 to 225 meters) b: an ancient Roman unit of length equal to 607 feet (185 meters)2 a: a course for footraces in ancient Greece originally one stadium in length b: a tiered structure with seats for spectators surrounding an ancient Greek running track c: a large usually roofless building with tiers of seats for spectators at sports events3 [New Latin, from Latin] : a stage in a life history ; especially : one between successive molts of an insect