First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
amphitheater
noun am·phi·the·ater \ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē(-ə)-tər also ˈam-pə-ˌthē-\
: a large building with seats rising in curved rows around an open space on which games and plays take place
: an area of level ground surrounded by hills
Full Definition of AMPHITHEATER
1
: an oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats ranged about an open space and used in ancient Rome especially for contests and spectacles
2
a : a very large auditorium b : a room with a gallery from which doctors and students may observe surgical operations c : a rising gallery in a modern theater d : a flat or gently sloping area surrounded by abrupt slopes
3
: a place of public entertainment (as for games or concerts)
— am·phi·the·at·ric \ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-trik also ˌam-pə-thē-\ or am·phi·the·at·ri·cal \-tri-kəl\ adjective
— am·phi·the·at·ri·cal·ly \-tri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of AMPHITHEATER
Latin amphitheatrum, from Greek amphitheatron, from amphi- + theatron theater
Other Performing Arts Terms
AMPHITHEATER Defined for Kids
amphitheater
noun am·phi·the·ater \ˈam-fə-ˌthē-ə-tər\
Definition of AMPHITHEATER for Kids
: an arena with seats rising in curved rows around an open space
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