theater

1 of 2

noun

the·​ater ˈthē-ə-tər How to pronounce theater (audio)
ˈthē-tər,
ˈthēə-tər,
 usually in Southern  ˈthē-ˌā-,
also
thē-ˈā- How to pronounce theater (audio)
variants or theatre
Synonyms of theaternext
1
a
: a building or area for dramatic performances
b
: a building or area for showing movies
c
: an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome
2
a
: dramatic literature : plays
b
: dramatic representation as an art or profession : drama
3
: a place or sphere of enactment of usually significant events or action
the theater of public life
4
a
: a place rising by steps or gradations
a woody theater of stateliest view—John Milton
b
: a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)
5
a
: dramatic or theatrical quality or effectiveness
b
: spectacle sense 1a
c
: entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events
their public feud made for good theater
6
: theater of operations

theater

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a theater of operations
theater nuclear weapons

Synonyms

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of theater in a Sentence

Noun the oldest theater in the city the theater district in New York City The film is now showing in theaters. We enjoyed a weekend of music, dance, and theater. He was very fond of the theater and had purchased tickets for several performances. Her interests include theater and poetry. the theater of 16th-century England She majored in theater in college. a course in American theater His monologues made for good theater.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Buckeye location will feature a movie theater in the same building as the entertainment venue, unlike the Harkins BackLot in Happy Valley, which is separate from the movie theater. —Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 21 Nov. 2024 Wicked—Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s movie adaptation of the classic Broadway musical—is new in theaters. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
My perspective is from a non-theater place. —Christopher Arnott, courant.com, 23 June 2021 The rebirth of the Pantages Theatre as a venue for Broadway road shows brought audience members there for pre-theater meals. —Linda Deutsch, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for theater 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English teatre, theatre, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French thueatre, teatre, borrowed from Latin theātrum "place for viewing dramatic performances," borrowed from Greek théātron, from theā́omai, theâsthai "to gaze at, view, watch, contemplate" (derivative of théā "act of seeing, sight, spectacle, performance," of uncertain origin) + -tron, suffix of instruments

Note: Doric thāéomai and the Syracusan form thāā have led to the assumption of an original *thāwā. Presumably related would be thaûma "wonder, astonishment, object of wonder or admiration, marvel" (see thaumaturge). If táphos "amazement" and synonymous thámbos are related, the alternation [w] / labial stop / -mb- (prenasalized stop?) suggests substratal origin (see R. Beekes, Etymological Dictionary of Greek, Brill, 2009), though the perfect téthēpa "(I) am astonished" reflects complete assimilation into Greek morphology.

Adjective

from attributive use of theater entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Adjective

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of theater was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing theater

Dictionary Entries Near theater

theat

theater

theatergoer

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Theater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theater. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

theater

noun
the·​ater
variants or theatre
ˈthē-ət-ər,
ˈthi-ət-
1
: a building or area for dramatic performances or for showing movies
2
: a place like a theater
especially : a room often with rising rows of seats (as for a lecture)
3
: a place of significant events or action
a theater of war
4
: plays or the performance of plays
a course in American theater
Etymology

Noun

Middle English theatre "outdoor structure for watching public performances (in ancient Greece and Rome)," from early French theatre (same meaning), from Latin theatrum (same meaning), from Greek theatron, literally "a place for viewing," from theasthai "to view," from thea "action of seeing, sight, view" — related to theory

Medical Definition

theater

noun
the·​ater
variants or theatre
ˈthē-ət-ər How to pronounce theater (audio)
1
: a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)
2
usually theatre, British : a hospital operating room

More from Merriam-Webster on theater

Nglish: Translation of theater for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of theater for Arabic Speakers

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