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
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 Mavericks are reportedly looking at multiple sites for a new basketball-specific arena that would serve as the centerpiece of an entertainment district.
—
Rob Rossi, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Each episode of the series, which returns Friday night on Prime Video, features one or more stars from a team or two, taking viewers not only behind the scenes in the arenas, where winning and dreams of the Stanley Cup reign supreme, but also gives viewers a taste of their personal lives.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Most of the rest of the Middle East, in his mind, is broken, angry, dysfunctional and an arena for unnecessary entanglements.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
In 2023, the Hurricanes signed a long-term lease in the city, announcing the development of a billion-dollar arena and surrounding entertainment district.
—Tony Schick, ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arena
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Rob Rossi, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Each episode of the series, which returns Friday night on Prime Video, features one or more stars from a team or two, taking viewers not only behind the scenes in the arenas, where winning and dreams of the Stanley Cup reign supreme, but also gives viewers a taste of their personal lives.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Most of the rest of the Middle East, in his mind, is broken, angry, dysfunctional and an arena for unnecessary entanglements.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
In 2023, the Hurricanes signed a long-term lease in the city, announcing the development of a billion-dollar arena and surrounding entertainment district.
—Tony Schick, ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arena
Cite this Entry
“Arena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arena. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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