Colosseum

American  

[kol-uh-see-uhm] / ˌkɒl əˈsi əm /

noun

1. an ancient amphitheater in Rome, begun a.d. c70 by Vespasian, having the form of an oval 617 by 512 feet (188 by 156 meters).

2. (lowercase) coliseum.

---

colosseum ¹ British  

/ ˌkɒləˈsɪəm /

noun

1. a variant spelling of coliseum

---

Colosseum ² British  

/ ˌkɒləˈsɪəm /

noun

1. an amphitheatre in Rome built about 75–80 _ad

---

Colosseum Cultural  

1. A great arena of ancient Rome, which seated fifty thousand. It is in ruins today, but its former glory can still be imagined.

---

Discover More

According to tradition, persecuted Christians (see also Christian) were fed to lions in the Colosseum for the entertainment of the Romans. (See also bread and circuses.)

Some of the contests staged in the Colosseum were between gladiators, who fought with swords; some were between people and animals. The arena could even be flooded for mock sea battles.

Etymology

Origin of Colosseum

< Latin, noun use of neuter of colossēus gigantic < Greek kolossiaîos, equivalent to koloss ( ós ) colossus + -iaios adj. suffix

Example Sentences

The conservation group has taken issue with the Colosseum Mine, where workers drilled for gold and silver until the 1990s.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Their friendship led to a role in Lee’s 1972 film “Return of the Dragon,” in which the two faced off in the Colosseum in Rome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

But three trees have fallen since the start of the year in the area between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, which is often bustling with crowds of tourists.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

There have certainly been occasions when Select Committee hearings have felt worthy of Rome's Colosseum, with MPs grand-standing and landing blows.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

Julius knew he had only minutes before Caesar realized what had happened—that they had passed out of the Colosseum to freedom instead of into the cellars where they belonged.

From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks