spectacle

noun

spec·​ta·​cle ˈspek-ti-kəl 

 also  -ˌti-kəl

1

a

: something exhibited to view as unusual, notable, or entertaining

especially : an eye-catching or dramatic public display

b

: an object of curiosity or contempt

made a spectacle of herself

2

spectacles ˈspek-ti-kəlz 

 also  -ˌti-kəlz

plural : a device used to correct defects of vision : glasses

3

: something (such as natural markings on an animal) suggesting a pair of glasses

Synonyms

• circus
• extravaganza
• pageant
• raree-show
• spectacular

Examples of spectacle in a Sentence

He peered through his spectacles.

the multimedia spectacles that have become established parts of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games

Recent Examples on the Web

The biggest name in this spectacle: memecoin named Goatseus Maximus (GOAT). —Nina Bambysheva, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Standing in front of more than 80,000 faces, Eric Church took a moment to absorb the spectacle at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday evening. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2024

But in wrapping the former president in the aura of an iconic arena and creating a buzzy spectacle in the nation's media capital, the Republican's campaign hoped to manufacture a moment that would reverberate across the country and break through the noise in a close race for the White House. —Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024

Those who saw the blast firsthand, still weeks before the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were awestruck by the pure spectacle. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin spectaculum, from spectare to watch, frequentative of specere to look, look at — more at spy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spectacle

• make a spectacle of oneself

Kids Definition

spectacle

noun

spec·​ta·​cle ˈspek-ti-kəl 

1

a

: an unusual or impressive public display

b

: an object of curious or annoyed attention

made a spectacle of yourself at the party

2

plural : glass entry 1 sense 2b

Etymology

Middle English spectacle "spectacle," from early French spectacle (same meaning), from Latin spectaculum (same meaning), from spectare "to watch," from specere "to look, look at" — related to auspice, expect