amphitheater

noun am·phi·the·ater \ ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē(-ə)-tər also ˈam-pə-ˌthē- \

|Updated on: 18 Aug 2018

Examples: amphitheater in a Sentence

Definition of amphitheater

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)

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amphitheatric

play \ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-trik also ˌam-pə-thē-\ or amphitheatrical play \-tri-kəl\ adjective

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amphitheatrically

play \-tri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See amphitheater defined for English-language learners

See amphitheater defined for kids

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address

Recent Examples of amphitheater from the Web

Costs for the amphitheater will exceed initial projections of $30 to $35 million, Sarah Smith-Pancheri, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Summerfest's parent company Milwaukee World Festival Inc., told the Journal Sentinel Friday.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Summerfest in Milwaukee reports lowest attendance in at least 25 years," 13 July 2018
The amphitheater will be named after Art Decabooter, a former Scottsdale Community College president.

— arizona republic, azcentral, "Hiker alert: 3 trailheads getting upgrades in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve," 13 July 2018
Golden, 8 miles north of the amphitheater, is another worthwhile town near Red Rocks.

— christopher reynolds, latimes.com, "Sitting in the palm of nature: The unique energy — and performances — of Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre," 12 July 2018
The amphitheater is located at 195 N Rosalind Ave. in Orlando.

— kate santich, OrlandoSentinel.com, "March For Our Lives students bring national tour to Lake Eola," 12 July 2018
Last month, Brigham and Women’s Hospital removed 31 portraits (above) of former department chairs from the walls of the hospital’s amphitheater.

— liz kowalczyk, BostonGlobe.com, "At top hospitals, department chiefs still overwhelmingly white, male," 10 July 2018
Castellini walked through mud to show the four-acre site near the Mill Creek that will be transformed into the campground and where the amphitheater will be shaped and constructed on a hillside.

— mark curnutte, Cincinnati.com, "Reds Community Fund to take big swing at renovating old Jewish Community Center site," 2 July 2018
This Fourth of July event will take place at the home of Valley Ranch’s future amphitheater.

— jennifer summer, Houston Chronicle, "Valley Ranch, Roman Forest to host fireworks and fun this Fourth of July," 22 June 2018
Despite his illness, Karo recently joined Save Our Starlight campaign and served as board chairman of the group, aimed at restoring the Balboa Park outdoor amphitheater.

— roger showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Steve Karo, who led the effort to save Balboa Theatre, dies at 75," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amphitheater.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of amphitheater

Latin amphitheatrum, from Greek amphitheatron, from amphi- + theatron theater

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

amphitheater Synonyms

Synonyms

arena, auditorium, garden, hall, theater (or theatre);

ballroom;

lyceum;

chamber, house, senate;

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

AMPHITHEATER Defined for English Language Learners

amphitheater

noun

Definition of amphitheater for English Language Learners

: a large building with seats rising in curved rows around an open space on which games and plays take place
: an area of level ground surrounded by hills