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 of amphitheater

• auditorium

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address

Recent Examples on the Web

The amphitheater is nestled within a canyon, wooded and surrounded by hills on three sides. — David Allen, Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026

There is also the renovation of the Boboli Gardens’ amphitheater for public performances, the Fountain of Neptune, and the Isolotto [little island] basin. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

One evening at the citadel of Aleppo, more than 1,800 people gathered in the amphitheater for a musical performance. — Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

In addition to more houses, the plans for the community call for an amphitheater, a chapel and a building for the residents to create art and practice crafts. — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2026

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

• bolometer
• centimeter
• centimetre
• decimeter
• ergometer
• expositor
• gasometer
• gravimeter
• hexameter
• manometer
• milliliter
• millimeter

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