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
Demolition derbies bring the sounds of revving engines and metal crashing into metal to rural arenas all over Arkansas, especially during this time of year when county fairs are popping up.
—
Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Having soared past expectations and selling out their San Francisco arena, Veronica Burton and the Valks have nothing to lose right now.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
In the main, unions fare better than employers in California’s political arena — not surprising given that union-friendly Democrats from the governor down dominate the Capitol.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
The scope of Huntrix’s fictional audience is emphasized through overhead shots of massive arena concerts, and made more personal by close-ups of the eclectic men, women, and children united through their commitment.
—Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arena
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Having soared past expectations and selling out their San Francisco arena, Veronica Burton and the Valks have nothing to lose right now.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
In the main, unions fare better than employers in California’s political arena — not surprising given that union-friendly Democrats from the governor down dominate the Capitol.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
The scope of Huntrix’s fictional audience is emphasized through overhead shots of massive arena concerts, and made more personal by close-ups of the eclectic men, women, and children united through their commitment.
—Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share