Definition of theater
1a : a building or area for dramatic performancesb : a building or area for showing motion picturesc : an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome
2a : dramatic literature : playsb : 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
4a : a place rising by steps or gradations a woody theater of stateliest view — John Miltonb : a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)
5a : dramatic or theatrical quality or effectivenessb : spectacle 1ac : entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events their public feud made for good theater
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of theater in a Sentence
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 of theater from the Web
-
Shifting to theater, Landau auditioned with 2,000 other actors for Lee Strasberg’s prestigious Actors Studio in 1955.
-
Starring Ford and Ryan Gosling, Blade Runner 2049, which is being billed as a sequel to the original, is hitting theaters this October.
-
The Bard hits the big screen at the Old Globe again, as the Balboa Park theater presents free Monday night showings of Shakespeare-minded movies.
-
For theater performances, the deadline is July 14; for all other disciplines, the deadline is Aug. 1.
-
Mages' willingness to take a risk on that show did heaps of good for Victory Gardens, increasing its national profile, which remains beneficial, even though that theater now has gone in a very different direction.
-
In this kabuki theater, both sides are right and both sides are wrong.
-
The PSA, produced by Emily and Allison Dietz, and starring their brothers Benjamin and William and friend Jared Richard, will be shown in local theaters through the end of July.
-
Tony Award-winning producer and Public Theater board chair Arielle Tepper Madover's first passion is, obviously, theater.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theater.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of theater
Middle English theatre, from Middle French, from Latin theatrum, from Greek theatron, from theasthai to view, from thea act of seeing; akin to Greek thauma miracle
Other Performing Arts Terms
theater
Definition of theater
: of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a theater of operations theater nuclear weapons
First Known Use of theater
1977
THEATER Defined for English Language Learners
theater
playDefinition of theater for English Language Learners
-
: a building where plays, shows, etc., are performed on a stage
-
: a building or room in which movies are shown
-
: plays in general or as a form of entertainment
THEATER Defined for Kids
theater
playtheatre
\ˈthē-ə-tər\Definition of theater for Students
1 : a building in which plays, motion pictures, or shows are presented
2 : the art or profession of producing plays
3 : plays or the performance of plays
4 : a place or area where some important action is carried on a theater of war
Medical Dictionary
theater
Medical Definition of theater
1: a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)
2usually theatre, British : a hospital operating room
Learn More about theater
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for theater Spanish Central: Translation of theater Nglish: Translation of theater for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of theater for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up theater? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!