Dictionary
1theater
noun the·ater \ˈthē-ə-tər, ˈthēə-, oftenest in Southern ˈthē-ˌā- also thē-ˈā-\
: a building where plays, shows, etc., are performed on a stage
: a building or room in which movies are shown
: plays in general or as a form of entertainment
Full Definition of THEATER
1
a : an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome b : a building or area for dramatic performances c : a building or area for showing motion pictures
2
: a place or sphere of enactment of usually significant events or action <the theater of public life>
3
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 1a c : entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events <their public feud made for good theater>
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See theater defined for kids
Variants of THEATER
the·ater or the·atre \ˈthē-ə-tər, ˈthēə-, oftenest in Southern ˈthē-ˌā- also thē-ˈā-\
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Origin of THEATER
Middle English theatre, from Middle French, from Latin theatrum, from Greek theatron, from theasthai to view, from thea act of seeing; akin to Greek thauma miracle
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Performing Arts Terms
2theater
adjective
Definition of THEATER
: of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a theater of operations <theater nuclear weapons>
First Known Use of THEATER
1977
Rhymes with THEATER
aerator, castrator, collator, Chubb Crater, Bay Stater, creator, curator, debater, deflator, dictator, dilator, donator, downstater, dumbwaiter, equator, first-rater, glossator, headwaiter, ice-skater, levator, locator, mandator, migrator, narrator, pond skater, pronator, pulsator, red-baiter, relater, spectator, speed skater, tailgater, testator, third-rater, titrator, translator, upstater, vibrator
THEATRE Defined for Kids
theater
noun the·ater \ˈthē-ə-tər\
Definition of THEATER for Kids
1
: a building in which plays, motion pictures, or shows are presented
2
: the art or profession of producing plays
3
: plays or the performance of plays
4
: a place or area where some important action is carried on <a theater of war>
Variants of THEATER
the·ater or the·atre \ˈthē-ə-tər\
Medical Dictionary
theater
noun the·ater
Medical Definition of THEATER
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
Variants of THEATER
the·ater or the·atre \ˈthē-ət-ər\
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