Definition of spectacle
1a : something exhibited to view as unusual, notable, or entertaining; especially : an eye-catching or dramatic public displayb : an object of curiosity or contempt made a spectacle of herself
2 spectacles plural : glasses
3 : something (such as natural markings on an animal) suggesting a pair of glasses
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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 of spectacle from the Web
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A single performance’s many ingredients—the acrobatics skills, the entrance, the costume, the music, the drama—all contribute to the spectacle.
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The ceremony on Oct. 24, 1992, must have been quite a spectacle, if A.R.M.’s account is accurate.
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In addition to enjoying the colorful spectacle, festival-goers, of course, can get in on the action with the opportunity to launch and fly their own kites as well.
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This floor-to-ceiling spectacle of captivity prompts tipsy reflections on the nature of freedom, and what the fish might know.
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During these spectacles, at home the scandal news came not in drips but spattering gouts.
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Trump took part in the ceremonial spectacle of the summit over the two days, this time at a picturesque Sicilian town above the Mediterranean Sea.
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But at the center of all of this was Baz Luhrmann, the director who turned works from F. Scott Fitzgerald and Shakespeare into campy, romanticized, teenage spectacles.
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But his speech quickly turned into a familiar, embarrassing spectacle, with lawmakers chanting his name and interrupting his speech with fawning accolades.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spectacle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of spectacle
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin spectaculum, from spectare to watch, frequentative of specere to look, look at — more at spy
SPECTACLE Defined for English Language Learners
spectacle
playDefinition of spectacle for English Language Learners
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: a very impressive show
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: something that attracts attention because it is very unusual or very shocking
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spectacles : a pair of lenses set into a frame and worn over the eyes
SPECTACLE Defined for Kids
Learn More about spectacle
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spectacle Spanish Central: Translation of spectacle Nglish: Translation of spectacle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of spectacle for Arabic speakers
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