arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

plural arcades

1

: a long arched building or gallery

2

a

: an arched covered passageway or avenue (as between shops)

b

chiefly British : a building that includes many shops

A job fair … today will introduce locals to the details of the 250 jobs that a new shopping arcade will bring when its doors open this autumn.

—The Journal (Newcastle, England)

3

: a series of arches with their columns or piers

4

: an amusement center having coin-operated games

Examples of arcade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the arcade launched, the White House described it as an effort to communicate the administration's agenda in a new way. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Alec Burleson splashed a solo home run into McCovey Cove beyond the right-field arcade in the sixth for the lone run and third hit off Webb, becoming the third Cardinals player to reach the bay. — CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

With Mortal Kombat now a successful film franchise, along comes a new big-screen take on its old arcade fighter rival. — A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

That evening, the brand will also celebrate with a cocktail the Prada Galleria multifloor experience at its historic store in Milan’s landmark shopping arcade. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian arcata, from arco arch, from Latin arcus

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arcade

• amusement arcade
• arcade game
• penny arcade
• video arcade

Rhymes for arcade

• afraid
• allayed
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted
• cascade

Kids Definition

arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

1

: a row of arches with the columns that support them

2

: an arched or covered passageway (as between shops)

3

: a place with many games to be played by putting coins or tokens in them

Medical Definition

arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

1

: an anatomical structure comprising a series of arches

2

: dental arch