arena

noun

are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce arena (audio)
Synonyms of arenanext
1
: an area in a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats
2
a
: an enclosed area used for public entertainment
b
: a building containing an arena
3
a
: a sphere of interest, activity, or competition
the political arena
b
: a place or situation for controversy
in the public arena

Examples of arena in a Sentence

Congress became an arena of opposing views. the toughest political arena in the world The economic arena has been dominated by that country.
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.
Three horse stalls, a tack room, laundry area and full bathroom remain, along with an outdoor sand arena for training or recreational riding. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 13 Dec. 2025 During both phases of the $245 million renovation of Spectrum Center, the two-decade-old arena underwent several upgrades to enhance the experience. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Dec. 2025 To this new arena of few big, let alone original, hits; to a place where expensive corporatized storytelling could hold no candle to the quick-turn, inexpensively made short videos young people watched or the quick-turn, inexpensively made long podcasts older people listened to. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 12 Dec. 2025 The biggest change in 2026 will be playing the semifinals in home markets, with only the final played at a neutral site, so that teams can get one more round of fan engagement in their home arenas. Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arena

Word History

Etymology

Latin harena, arena sand, sandy place

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of arena was in 1600

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arena. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

arena

noun
are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce arena (audio)
1
: an enclosed area used for public entertainment
2
: a building containing an arena
3
: a field of activity
the political arena

More from Merriam-Webster on arena

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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