amphitheater

1 of 2

noun

am·​phi·​the·​ater ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē(-ə)-tər How to pronounce amphitheater (audio)
also ˈam-pə-ˌthē-
Synonyms 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)
amphitheatric
ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-trik How to pronounce amphitheater (audio)
also ˌam-pə-thē-
adjective
or amphitheatrical
ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-kəl How to pronounce amphitheater (audio)
also ˌam-pə-thē-
amphitheatrically
ˌam(p)-fə-thē-ˈa-tri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce amphitheater (audio)
also ˌam-pə-thē-
adverb

amphitheatric

2 of 2

adjective

am·​phi·​the·​at·​ric ¦am(p)-fə-thē-¦a-trik also ¦am-pə- How to pronounce amphitheatric (audio)
variants or amphitheatrical
¦am(p)-fə-thē-¦a-tri-kəl also ¦am-pə- How to pronounce amphitheatric (audio)
1
: performed in an amphitheater
2
: resembling an amphitheater or its arrangement of seats
amphitheatrically
¦am(p)-fə-thē-¦a-tri-k(ə-)lē also ¦am-pə- How to pronounce amphitheatric (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of amphitheater

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Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of amphitheater in a Sentence

Noun the conference attendees crowded into the amphitheater for the keynote address
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Students set up tents and information tables and strung large banners around an outdoor amphitheater at the center of campus. — Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 Next to it is the open-air amphitheater, which seats 3,500 people, and that is joined by a 400-seat studio theater for small productions. — New Atlas, 2 July 2026 At first, Kastl said, the data center project seemed to be a better use for the land than earlier plans to build a live event amphitheater that fell through after a similar outcry from residents. — Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 1 July 2026 Renderings submitted to the city show that Propco intends to fill in most of the sunken amphitheater with artificial turf to create a central lawn area that retains some of the existing steps. — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for amphitheater

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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.

Adjective

Latin amphitheatricus, from amphitheatrum + -icus -ic, -ical

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of amphitheater was in the 14th century

Rhymes for amphitheater

See All Rhymes for amphitheater

Browse Nearby Words

amphitene
amphitheater
amphitheatral
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amphitheater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphitheater. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

amphitheater

noun
am·​phi·​the·​a·​ter
ˈam(p)-fə-ˌthē-ət-ər
1
: a building with seats rising in curved rows around an open space on which games and plays take place
2
: something (as a piece of level ground surrounded by hills) that resembles an amphitheater

More from Merriam-Webster on amphitheater

Nglish: Translation of amphitheater for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about amphitheater

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