theater

1 of 2

noun

the·​ater ˈthē-ə-tər 

ˈthē-tər,

ˈthēə-tər,

 usually in Southern  ˈthē-ˌā-,

also

thē-ˈā- 

variants or theatre

1

a

: a building or area for dramatic performances

b

: a building or area for showing movies

c

: an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome

2

a

: dramatic literature : plays

b

: dramatic representation as an art or profession : drama

3

: a place or sphere of enactment of usually significant events or action

the theater of public life

4

a

: a place rising by steps or gradations

a woody theater of stateliest view

—John Milton

b

: a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)

5

a

: dramatic or theatrical quality or effectiveness

b

: spectacle sense 1a

c

: entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events

their public feud made for good theater

6

: theater of operations

theater

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a theater of operations

theater nuclear weapons

Synonyms

Noun

• cinema
• playhouse

Examples of theater in a Sentence

Noun

the oldest theater in the city

the theater district in New York City

The film is now showing in theaters.

We enjoyed a weekend of music, dance, and theater.

He was very fond of the theater and had purchased tickets for several performances.

Her interests include theater and poetry.

the theater of 16th-century England

She majored in theater in college.

a course in American theater

His monologues made for good theater.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Something Beautiful, the album, is available to purchase and stream now, while the film of the same name will be released in theaters on June 12. —Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 June 2025

Pacino’s The Ritual — which opened in theaters on Friday — has critics not raving, but ripping the celebrated actor’s exorcism film. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025

Adjective

My perspective is from a non-theater place. —Christopher Arnott, courant.com, 23 June 2021

The rebirth of the Pantages Theatre as a venue for Broadway road shows brought audience members there for pre-theater meals. —Linda Deutsch, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English teatre, theatre, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French thueatre, teatre, borrowed from Latin theātrum "place for viewing dramatic performances," borrowed from Greek théātron, from theā́omai, theâsthai "to gaze at, view, watch, contemplate" (derivative of théā "act of seeing, sight, spectacle, performance," of uncertain origin) + -tron, suffix of instruments

Note: Doric thāéomai and the Syracusan form thāā have led to the assumption of an original *thāwā. Presumably related would be thaûma "wonder, astonishment, object of wonder or admiration, marvel" (see thaumaturge). If táphos "amazement" and synonymous thámbos are related, the alternation [w] / labial stop / -mb- (prenasalized stop?) suggests substratal origin (see R. Beekes, Etymological Dictionary of Greek, Brill, 2009), though the perfect téthēpa "(I) am astonished" reflects complete assimilation into Greek morphology.

Adjective

from attributive use of theater entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

1977, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing theater

• arena theater
• art theater
• community theater
• dinner theater
• guerrilla theater
• home theater
• little theater
• pre-theater
• street theater
• summer theater
• theater-in-the-round
• theater of operations
• theater of the absurd
• theater of war

Rhymes for theater

• theatre

Kids Definition

theater

noun

the·​ater

variants or theatre

ˈthē-ət-ər,

ˈthi-ət-

1

: a building or area for dramatic performances or for showing movies

2

: a place like a theater

especially : a room often with rising rows of seats (as for a lecture)

3

: a place of significant events or action

a theater of war

4

: plays or the performance of plays

a course in American theater

Etymology

Noun

Middle English theatre "outdoor structure for watching public performances (in ancient Greece and Rome)," from early French theatre (same meaning), from Latin theatrum (same meaning), from Greek theatron, literally "a place for viewing," from theasthai "to view," from thea "action of seeing, sight, view" — related to theory

Medical Definition

theater

noun

the·​ater

variants or theatre

ˈthē-ət-ər 

1

: a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)

2

usually theatre, British : a hospital operating room