auditorium

noun

au·​di·​to·​ri·​um ˌȯ-də-ˈtȯr-ē-əm How to pronounce auditorium (audio)
plural auditoriums or auditoria ˌȯ-də-ˈtȯr-ē-ə How to pronounce auditorium (audio)
1
: the part of a public building where an audience sits
2
: a room, hall, or building used for public gatherings

Examples of auditorium in a Sentence

will hold the town meeting in the high school auditorium
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The seating should also be more comfortable than a standard auditorium. Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 In what is arguably a first for Imax, Gerwig’s feature take of C.S. Lewis’ classic is getting an exclusive two-week global run in the format across 1,000 auditoriums in 90 countries beginning November 26, 2026, with a streaming debut to follow on Netflix on Christmas Day. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 15 May 2025 With characteristic chutzpah, Hepburn angled for larger roles than she would otherwise be considered for by arguing that her friends and family would fill the auditorium. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025 On Sunday, he is set to deliver his first noon blessing from the loggia and attend an audience with reporters on Monday in the Vatican auditorium, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for auditorium

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin audītōrium "lecture room, hall, body of listeners," from audīre "to hear" + -tōrium, suffix of places, from neuter of -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix — more at audible entry 1, auditory entry 2

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of auditorium was in 1640

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Auditorium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auditorium. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

auditorium

noun
au·​di·​to·​ri·​um ˌȯd-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əm How to pronounce auditorium (audio)
-ˈtȯr-
1
: the part of a public building where an audience sits
2
: a room, hall, or building used for public gatherings

More from Merriam-Webster on auditorium

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!