amphitheater

noun

am·​phi·​the·​ater ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē(-ə)-tər 

 also  ˈam-pə-ˌthē-

1

: an oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats ranged about an open space and used in ancient Rome especially for contests and spectacles

2

a

: a very large auditorium

b

: a room with a gallery from which doctors and students may observe surgical operations

c

: a rising gallery in a modern theater

d

: a flat or gently sloping area surrounded by abrupt slopes

3

: a place of public entertainment (as for games or concerts)

amphitheatric

ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-trik 

 also  ˌam-pə-thē-

adjective

or amphitheatrical

ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-kəl 

 also  ˌam-pə-thē-

amphitheatrically

ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē 

 also  ˌam-pə-thē-

adverb

Synonyms

• auditorium

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address

Recent Examples on the Web

He's evolved quickly from playing hip-hop and rock-leaning bars and clubs within a 50-mile radius of each other, northwest of Music City, to performing at amphitheaters and arenas nationwide. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025

The center, which can seat nearly 23,000 people, includes an outdoor amphitheater and the Ford Idaho Horse Park and Sports Center. —Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2025

The property features multiple swimming pools, football fields, an amphitheater, and a massive park. —Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Ten juveniles in the rear amphitheater area were throwing bricks or breaking boards. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 10 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amphitheatre, borrowed from Latin amphitheātrum, borrowed from Greek amphithéātron, noun derivative from neuter of amphithéātros "(of a stadium) having seats for spectators all around," from amphi- amphi- + -theātros, derivative of théātron "place for viewing a drama, theater entry 1"

Note: The term is also used in isolated, partially naturalized Old English attestations, as anfiteatrum and anfiteatra.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for amphitheater

• galvanometer
• submillimeter
• aliter
• ammeter
• completer
• demeter
• preheater
• repeater
• saltpetre
• ureter
• beater
• cheater

Kids Definition

amphitheater

noun

am·​phi·​the·​a·​ter

ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē-ət-ər

1

: a building with seats rising in curved rows around an open space on which games and plays take place

2

: something (as a piece of level ground surrounded by hills) that resembles an amphitheater