proscenium

noun

pro·​sce·​ni·​um prō-ˈsē-nē-əm How to pronounce proscenium (audio)
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

Examples of proscenium in a Sentence

The host walked onto the proscenium.
Recent Examples on the Web Film musicals don’t have the same restrictions as stage ones, but director Sanjay Leela Bhansali holds 180 to give the illusion of a proscenium performance, while packing the background with dancers and spectators as far as the eye can see. Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024 More:Historic hotels in metro Phoenix where famous people have stayed: 10 iconic places Tempe Center for the Arts The Tempe Center for the Arts, which opened along Tempe Town Lake in 2007, has a 600-seat proscenium theater, a 200-seat studio theater and a 3,500-square-foot gallery. Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 12 Aug. 2024 There, the actors perform on a proscenium stage rather than on a low outdoor platform just a few feet from the audience. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2024 The titular correctional institution is merely the location of the proscenium. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for proscenium 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proscenium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of proscenium was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near proscenium

Cite this Entry

“Proscenium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proscenium. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

proscenium

noun
pro·​sce·​ni·​um prō-ˈsē-nē-əm How to pronounce proscenium (audio)
1
: the part of a stage in front of the curtain
2
: the wall containing the arch that frames the stage

More from Merriam-Webster on proscenium

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