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

The closing ceremony set at the Roman amphitheater at the heart of the city that inspired “Romeo and Juliet” celebrated the Games as “beauty in action.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

A street preacher in Brandon, Miss., Mr. Olivier was fined $304 for violating an ordinance restricting protests near a city amphitheater.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

At the center is an open-air amphitheater and waterfall ringed by glass buildings and shaded by well-kept trees.

From Slate • Oct. 30, 2025

As he speaks, my mother walks through the gates of the amphitheater.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Related Words

• auditorium