amphitheater: Meaning and Definition of

am•phi•the•a•ter

Pronunciation: (am'fu-thē"u-tur, -thē"tur), [key]
— n.
  1. an 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 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.
    1. the first section of seats in the gallery of a theater.
    2. a designated section of seats in any part of a theater.
  4. a level area of oval or circular shape surrounded by rising ground.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: