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

Across the hallway from Atlantis Kids Adventures is The Gamers Reef, a classic arcade with everything from Pac-Man to driving games, which may appeal to parents (especially those raised in the ’80s) even more than their offspring. —Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026

Young and old alike can burn hours at retro arcade Replay Amusement Museum and then head over to Orange Cycle Creamery for homemade sweets. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

The arcade offered fun games for patrons of all ages. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado january 2, Sacbee.com, 2 Jan. 2026

But there’s plenty of play on land, too, including a classic arcade, casual dining with family favorites, and even a special Camp-tiva program for youngsters. —South Seas, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025

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