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

The design is a dramatic entrance of wide stone steps that lead up from the flagstone patio to the house with a landing that looks like a small proscenium stage. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025

In Salzburg, the wide proscenium of the Grosses Festspielhaus — over 90 feet long — was narrowed using black side curtains. —A.j. Goldmann, New York Times, 20 May 2025

Michelle Harvey’s scenic design in the tight space of a 25-foot-wide proscenium included punching bags, bo staffs and ThighMasters. —Ronald Blum, Denver Post, 22 July 2025

The original 1942 design is back, while the basement level has been expanded to accommodate a main proscenium theater. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 30 June 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