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

And each office door mimics a storefront similar to shopping arcade structures. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2026

There’s also a family-friendly splash zone, golf cart rentals, a crabbing pier, and an arcade, reinforcing the property’s broad appeal for both couples and families alike. — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

The visual follows the pair through a series of intimate moments, from cooking spaghetti together in a kitchen to competing at an arcade, a park date at sunset and a cozy living room. — Naomi Jeffries, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

What was for sale in the arcades? — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 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