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

Considering the series’ arcade heritage, most of the story in that kind of context would have been somewhat redundant. —Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Center in the Square also has a candy shop, an arcade, and a pinball museum, all enjoyed by kids and adults alike. —Julekha Dash, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026

She also can be heard saying the N-word while playing a shooting game at an arcade, according to TMZ and Variety. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

Bonus points for anyone who sends me photos of a Disney store, FYE, or arcade. —Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 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