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

An amphitheater and an inscription with the city's name were some of the first excavations. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

And even though the amphitheater has nabbed some tour dates routed through other stadiums, Hartlund suggests their booking ability has benefited. —Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024

My destination was the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a majestic 4,680-seat amphitheater on the Acropolis’ southwest side named after the arts patron who funded its construction. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

For 100 straight days after the Colosseum opened in 80 C.E., tens of thousands of citizens packed into the amphitheater to ogle staged hunts and gladiatorial combat — or, to put it bluntly, the systematic slaughter of animals and men. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024

Deer Creek Music Center 1989-2001 Sunshine Promotions opened the amphitheater as Deer Creek Music Center in 1989. —Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Feb. 2024

The event organizers held their first Elk Grove event in September, their first annual Elk Grove Jazz Festival which brought together more than 700 people to the Laguna Town Hall amphitheater despite some rain. —Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024

There’s also a donkey sanctuary with 15 donkeys and an amphitheater with stone steps overlooking the ocean. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024

More:These are all of the arena, amphitheater and stadium concerts in Milwaukee in 2024 More:Why are ticket prices for the hottest concerts in Milwaukee and elsewhere skyrocketing? —Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024

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