arena

noun

are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə 

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

Synonyms of arena

• auditorium
• amphitheater

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

The turf fields and youth sports arena are among several entertainment projects built within the Homefield STAR bond master plan, which also includes the site where the shuttered Schlitterbahn water park once stood. — Sofi Zeman july 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Director of Communications Miller Yoho said the organization showcased the environment that could be created across the city, not just around the arena. — Kamran Nia july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

The current plans would keep the famous arena, where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married earlier this month, but demolish a theater located on the site. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

The concert marked Phish’s 92nd performance at the famed arena, and the quartet celebrated by performing a setlist made up entirely of songs from its 1992 repertoire. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin harena, arena sand, sandy place

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arena

• arena football
• arena theater

Rhymes for arena

• athena
• cantina
• carina
• carmina
• catena
• czarina
• domina
• farina
• galena
• glossina
• hyena
• kachina

Kids Definition

arena

noun

are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə 

1

: an enclosed area used for public entertainment

2

: a building containing an arena

3

: a field of activity

the political arena