amphitheater
noun
am·phi·the·ater ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē(-ə)-tər 
also ˈam-pə-ˌthē-
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)
amphitheatric
ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-trik
adjective also ˌam-pə-thē-
or amphitheatrical
ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-kəl
also ˌam-pə-thē-
amphitheatrically
ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē
adverb also ˌam-pə-thē-
Synonyms
- arena
- auditorium
- garden
- hall
- theater
- theatre
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address
Recent Examples on the Web The vista into a fertile green amphitheater and the jagged peaks around it brought a revelation: There was no need to rush. 
Kenneth R. Rosen, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022 In Pula, an intact Roman amphitheater looms over the streets like a mini-Colosseum, while a splendid Temple of Augustus occupies a piazza surrounded by busy outdoor cafés. Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Aug. 2022 Lectures are given in an outdoor amphitheater that holds about 1000 people. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Aug. 2022 More than 500 multi-family residential units, 60,000 square feet of retail space, a parking garage, parks, boardwalks, riverwalks, an amphitheater. Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 Shards of human-shaped rocks jut out everywhere in Pietrapertosa, which is shaped like an amphitheater. Silvia Marchetti, CNN, 11 Aug. 2022 In 1979, Jess Nicks, whose daughter Stevie was a KDKB staple with Buckingham Nicks and later Fleetwood Mac, opened an amphitheater on the grounds of Legend City, an amusement park on the border of Phoenix and Tempe, and named in Compton's honor. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 10 Aug. 2022 Over on Western Campus is the Freedom Summer '64 Memorial, an amphitheater designed by architect Bob Keller to honor the 1964 martyrs who trained there and went South to fight for racial justice. Gregory Crawford, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022 East Peoria: The city will add a splash pad and an amphitheater to Levee Park next year, paid for in part with a $400,000 grant from the state. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 22 July 2022 See More
Kenneth R. Rosen, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022 In Pula, an intact Roman amphitheater looms over the streets like a mini-Colosseum, while a splendid Temple of Augustus occupies a piazza surrounded by busy outdoor cafés. Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Aug. 2022 Lectures are given in an outdoor amphitheater that holds about 1000 people. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Aug. 2022 More than 500 multi-family residential units, 60,000 square feet of retail space, a parking garage, parks, boardwalks, riverwalks, an amphitheater. Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 Shards of human-shaped rocks jut out everywhere in Pietrapertosa, which is shaped like an amphitheater. Silvia Marchetti, CNN, 11 Aug. 2022 In 1979, Jess Nicks, whose daughter Stevie was a KDKB staple with Buckingham Nicks and later Fleetwood Mac, opened an amphitheater on the grounds of Legend City, an amusement park on the border of Phoenix and Tempe, and named in Compton's honor. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 10 Aug. 2022 Over on Western Campus is the Freedom Summer '64 Memorial, an amphitheater designed by architect Bob Keller to honor the 1964 martyrs who trained there and went South to fight for racial justice. Gregory Crawford, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022 East Peoria: The city will add a splash pad and an amphitheater to Levee Park next year, paid for in part with a $400,000 grant from the state. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 22 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English amphitheatre, borrowed from Latin amphitheātrum, borrowed from Greek amphithéātron, noun derivative from neuter of amphithéātros "(of a stadium) having seats for spectators all around," from amphi- amphi- + -theātros, derivative of théātron "place for viewing a drama, theater entry 1"
Note: The term is also used in isolated, partially naturalized Old English attestations, as anfiteatrum and anfiteatra.
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
amphitheater
noun
am·phi·the·ater ˈam-fə-ˌthē-ə-tər
: an arena with seats rising in curved rows around an open space
amphitheaters
noun
as in auditoriums
a large room or building for enclosed public gatherings the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- auditoriums
- theaters
- arenas
- gardens
- halls
- ballrooms
- playhouses
- theatres
- auditoria
- lyceums
- music halls
- arena theaters
- senates
- houses
- chambers
- odea
- theaters-in-the-round
- cafetoriums