amphitheater

American  

[am-fuh-thee-uh-ter, -thee^uh-ter, am-puh-] / ˈæm fəˌθi ə tər, -ˌθiə tər, ˈæm pə- /

Or amphitheatre

noun

1. an open-air, oval or round building with tiers of seats around a central open area, as those used in ancient Rome for gladiatorial contests.

2. any similar indoor or outdoor place for public contests, games, performances, exhibitions, etc.; an arena, stadium, or auditorium.

3. a room having tiers of seats arranged around a central area, in which students and other observers can view surgery, hear lectures, etc.

4. British.

   1. the first section of seats in the gallery of a theater.

   2. a designated section of seats in any part of a theater.

5. a level area of oval or circular shape surrounded by rising ground.

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Other Word Forms

• amphitheatric adjective
• amphitheatrical adjective
• amphitheatrically adverb

Etymology

Origin of amphitheater

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin amphitheātrum, from Greek amphithéātron; amphi-, theater

Example Sentences

What he wants is a chance to argue to a judge that the city’s speech rules are unenforceable, so he “may return to the amphitheater to speak without fear of further punishment,” Justice Kagan writes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Mr. Olivier is trying to challenge an ordinance in Brandon, Miss., that restricts protests near a public amphitheater.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Its centerpiece, the lodge-like Davies Building, was all but obliterated by the fire, and its amphitheater, while still intact, suffered notable damage.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

An evangelical preacher challenged a city ordinance under the First and 14th amendments that confined protestors to a designated zone outside a public amphitheater in Brandon, Mississippi.

From Slate • Jan. 8, 2026

A desk and a chair were set up on the floor at the base of the steep amphitheater.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• auditorium