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

Among the holiday shops and food experiences coming to the store for the first time are the Build-a-Bear Workshop, a Pac-Man arcade with video games and plush items, an Eataly market, Bissinger’s Chocolatier and Balsam Hill for Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths. —David Moin, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025

The classic arcade character will measure more than 40 feet in length and 37 feet in height. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 24 Nov. 2025

Now her neighborhood arcade is surrounded by the rapid growth reshaping a once rural area on the Keller border. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Nov. 2025

The Black Badge Ghost Gamer is Rolls-Royce’s first bespoke commission to inspired by arcade gaming culture. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 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