proscenium

noun

pro·​sce·​ni·​um prō-ˈsē-nē-əm 

1

a

: the stage of an ancient Greek or Roman theater

b

: the part of a modern stage in front of the curtain

c

: the wall that separates the stage from the auditorium and provides the arch that frames it

2

a

: foreground sense 1

b

: foreground sense 2

Examples of proscenium in a Sentence

The host walked onto the proscenium.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dozens of Broadway greats have graced the Muny’s proscenium stage over the past 107 years: Cary Grant appeared in The Three Musketeers in 1931; Pearl Bailey took on Hello, Dolly! —Ellen Carpenter, AFAR Media, 19 May 2025

Some interior architectural elements that will be incorporated into the new theater, such as original columns and portions of the stage and proscenium, are also being removed. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025

And seeing it all on the on the Civic Theatre’s large proscenium stage, without the boundaries of a TV screen, showcases the beautiful tableaux created by director Thomas Kail and choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025

As the title suggests, the installation’s curved form borrows from proscenium staging, which originated in open-air theaters of ancient Greece and Rome. —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek proskēnion front of the building forming the background for a dramatic performance, stage, from pro- + skēnē building forming the background for a dramatic performance — more at scene

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing proscenium

• proscenium arch

Rhymes for proscenium

• asplenium
• delphinium
• perineum
• ruthenium
• selenium
• vaccinium
• rhenium

Kids Definition

proscenium

noun

pro·​sce·​ni·​um prō-ˈsē-nē-əm 

1

: the part of a stage in front of the curtain

2

: the wall containing the arch that frames the stage