Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- an oval or round building with tiers of seats around a central open area, as those used in ancient Rome for gladiatorial contests.
- any similar place for public contests, games, performances, exhibitions, etc.; an arena, stadium, or auditorium.
- a room having tiers of seats arranged around a central area, in which students and other observers can view surgery, hear lectures, etc.
- British.
- the first section of seats in the gallery of a theater.
- a designated section of seats in any part of a theater.
- a level area of oval or circular shape surrounded by rising ground.
noun
- a building, usually circular or oval, in which tiers of seats rise from a central open arena, as in those of ancient Rome
- a place where contests are held; arena
- any level circular area of ground surrounded by higher ground
-
- the first tier of seats in the gallery of a theatre
- any similarly designated seating area in a theatre
- a lecture room in which seats are tiered away from a central area
chiefly British English spelling of amphitheater. See -er.
late 14c., from Latin amphitheatrum, from Greek amphitheatron “double theater, amphitheater,” neuter of amphitheatros “with spectators all around,” from amphi- “on both sides” (see amphi-) + theatron “theater” (see theater). Classical theaters were semi-circles, thus two together made an amphi-theater.