arena

noun

are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə 

1

: an area in a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats

2

a

: an enclosed area used for public entertainment

b

: a building containing an arena

3

a

: a sphere of interest, activity, or competition

the political arena

b

: a place or situation for controversy

in the public arena

Synonyms of arena

• auditorium
• amphitheater

Examples of arena in a Sentence

Congress became an arena of opposing views.

the toughest political arena in the world

The economic arena has been dominated by that country.

Recent Examples on the Web

The atmosphere felt surprisingly relaxed — more easygoing than many arena rock concerts — without sacrificing energy. — Jamie Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

Hundreds of firefighters, relatives and community residents filled a college arena for a funeral service for a Utah fire captain, his wife and three sons who were killed in a flash flood while on a camping trip. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 30 July 2026

In August 2024, the city of Portland bought the arena for $1 (yes, $1) from the Paul Allen Estate. — Esfandiar Baraheni, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Kruse was in the arena and accompanied the girls, who were there to watch Cunningham and the Indiana Fever take on the Storm. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin harena, arena sand, sandy place

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arena

• arena football
• arena theater

Rhymes for arena

• athena
• cantina
• carina
• carmina
• catena
• czarina
• domina
• farina
• galena
• glossina
• hyena
• kachina

Kids Definition

arena

noun

are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə 

1

: an enclosed area used for public entertainment

2

: a building containing an arena

3

: a field of activity

the political arena