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

Plans show a possible amphitheater, pavilion, bike repair station, and outdoor event spaces that could be reserved. —Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 29 June 2025

When they were originally produced in the 1600s, many of William Shakespeare’s plays were performed in an open-air amphitheater called The Globe in London. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025

Delaware City Council approved plans to build a 125,000 square-foot complex — the Performance Impact Arena and Pavilion — that will include three ice rinks and a 6,000-seat amphitheater, which would host concerts in the summer and be transformed into an outdoor rink for use in the winter. —Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 22 June 2025

The Entertainment San Giorgio Maggiore has an open-air amphitheater with water views, and word is that Elton John and Lady Gaga have been asked to perform. —Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 21 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