arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

plural arcades

1

: a long arched building or gallery

2

a

: an arched covered passageway or avenue (as between shops)

b

chiefly British : a building that includes many shops

A job fair … today will introduce locals to the details of the 250 jobs that a new shopping arcade will bring when its doors open this autumn.

—The Journal (Newcastle, England)

3

: a series of arches with their columns or piers

4

: an amusement center having coin-operated games

Examples of arcade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In an event Wednesday morning revealing her as the first brand partner of Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, the WNBA star tried to sink a few putts on a simulator before demonstrating her expertise at the arcade basketball shooting game. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

Older children have the Palace Arcade next door, a separate hangout packed with games consoles and arcade machines. — Fergus Scholes, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

Lastly, The Landing is just a short walk away from Bar & Rec, an arcade bar that also has a location in Waldo. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

That includes food, an aquarium, a small arcade and a two-lane bowling alley. — Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian arcata, from arco arch, from Latin arcus

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arcade

• amusement arcade
• arcade game
• penny arcade
• video arcade

Rhymes for arcade

• afraid
• allayed
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted
• cascade

Kids Definition

arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

1

: a row of arches with the columns that support them

2

: an arched or covered passageway (as between shops)

3

: a place with many games to be played by putting coins or tokens in them

Medical Definition

arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

1

: an anatomical structure comprising a series of arches

2

: dental arch