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

• arena
• auditorium
• garden
• hall
• theater
• theatre

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address

Recent Examples on the Web

There's a reason the historic amphitheater is one of Italy's most popular attractions. —Melissa Locker, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2023

Visitors must take a tram from the welcome center to the amphitheater; the tram begins running at 8:30 a.m. and continues until the amphitheater is full. —Olivia McCormack, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023

The grounds have various ways to entertain guests with its 100-seat amphitheater, pagoda with a firepit, an entertainment pavilion with a full kitchen, a private lake with a sandy beach, and an outdoor shower. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 24 Oct. 2023

Currently the amphitheater is about 24-by-16-feet, while the new one will be about 47-by-25-feet. —Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023

To celebrate the 85th anniversary, Rubin has assembled a special concert to highlight the iconic amphitheater's importance and history. —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2023

At the amphitheater near the AMC Theatre at Arrowhead Towne Center, 7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center. —Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 23 Aug. 2023

Archaeologists found a similar set of iron bars in the early 1960s in the kitchen of a large residence near the amphitheater. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023

There also are plenty of snazzy amenities—a guest cottage, gym, 100-seat amphitheater, pagoda with fire-pit, putting green, an infinity-edge pool and spa, and a private lake with its own sandy beach, just for starters. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2023

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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

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