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 motion pictures
c
: an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome
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
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
c
: entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events
their public feud made for good theater
: of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a theater of operations
theater nuclear weapons
Synonyms
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 WebJack Smart, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Quaid also spent a chunk of time doling out thanks, notably to the theater owners in the audience, as CinemaCon represents the annual gathering of members of the National Association of Theater Owners.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
In theaters Friday, April 12. Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Paramount announced Chazelle’s new movie as part of its presentation at CinemaCon, the annual gathering of movie theater owners that’s currently taking place in Las Vegas.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
While the tone at CinemaCon, a weeklong gathering of theater owners, exhibitors and all the various companies involved in movie theater operations and experiences, is usually overwhelmingly positive, Aronson took a more sober approach.
—Lindsey Bahr, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024
The area boomed after the teams came, with a 14-screen AMC theater, shopping, a bowling alley that served drinks in glasses rimmed with Pop Rocks, a Sushi-go-Round.
—Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
This Pacific Northwest Hub Has Something for Every Traveler — From an Iconic Fish Market to the Sky-high Space Needle
New York Aquarium, New York
In Brooklyn, the New York Aquarium has a 4D theater, feedings visitors can attend, and of course, numerous wildlife exhibits.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024
Potential nominees include students with achievements in band, orchestra, theater, choir, art, culinary arts, sewing skills or other similar vocational-school mediums where students can shine through the arts.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
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
Imax has unveiled a multi-theater deal with Cinema 21, Indonesia’s largest cinema chain, for ten new giant screens with laser projection systems.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2023
The best place for a pre-or post-theater meal and why.
—Shivani Vora, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023
Your pre-theater meal just got a lot more exciting.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2022
Their hours of operation start at the pre-theater time of 5 p.m. and end at 2 a.m.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2022
Here are some trusty pre- and post-theater haunts to consider, ranging from most convenient to slightly less convenient, but still worthy.
—Megha McSwain, Chron, 24 Aug. 2022
Noun
The character’s larger-than-life presence will return to the big screen in Deadpool & Wolverine, in theaters July 26.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Quaid also spent a chunk of time doling out thanks, notably to the theater owners in the audience, as CinemaCon represents the annual gathering of members of the National Association of Theater Owners.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
In theaters Friday, April 12. Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
Paramount announced Chazelle’s new movie as part of its presentation at CinemaCon, the annual gathering of movie theater owners that’s currently taking place in Las Vegas.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
While the tone at CinemaCon, a weeklong gathering of theater owners, exhibitors and all the various companies involved in movie theater operations and experiences, is usually overwhelmingly positive, Aronson took a more sober approach.
—Lindsey Bahr, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024
The area boomed after the teams came, with a 14-screen AMC theater, shopping, a bowling alley that served drinks in glasses rimmed with Pop Rocks, a Sushi-go-Round.
—Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
This Pacific Northwest Hub Has Something for Every Traveler — From an Iconic Fish Market to the Sky-high Space Needle
New York Aquarium, New York
In Brooklyn, the New York Aquarium has a 4D theater, feedings visitors can attend, and of course, numerous wildlife exhibits.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024
Potential nominees include students with achievements in band, orchestra, theater, choir, art, culinary arts, sewing skills or other similar vocational-school mediums where students can shine through the arts.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024
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
Imax has unveiled a multi-theater deal with Cinema 21, Indonesia’s largest cinema chain, for ten new giant screens with laser projection systems.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2023
The best place for a pre-or post-theater meal and why.
—Shivani Vora, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023
Your pre-theater meal just got a lot more exciting.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2022
Their hours of operation start at the pre-theater time of 5 p.m. and end at 2 a.m.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2022
Here are some trusty pre- and post-theater haunts to consider, ranging from most convenient to slightly less convenient, but still worthy.
—Megha McSwain, Chron, 24 Aug. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to theater
Dictionary Entries Near theater
Cite this Entry
“Theater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theater. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
theater
noun
the·ater
variants
or theatre
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
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