theater
THEE-uh-tuh
Theater (noun) means a building where plays, films, or other performances are staged for an audience. Example: “We got tickets to see a musical at the theater downtown.”
noun
1
A building where plays, films, or other performances are staged for an audience.
"We got tickets to see a musical at the theater downtown."
"The old theater was renovated with new seating and lighting."
"The theater was packed on opening night, and the crowd cheered when the curtain rose."
2
Drama or performance as an art form.
"She studied theater in college."
"My brother loves theater and goes to see a new production every month."
"Good theater can make an audience laugh and cry in the same evening."
3
A specific region or area where major events, especially military operations, take place.
"The Pacific was a major theater of operations in World War II."
"Historians still argue about which theater of the war mattered most to the final outcome."
"The general moved fresh troops to the northern theater before winter arrived."
How to use theater
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA building for watching performances, the art of performance itself, or (in a military sense) a region of conflict.
UK vs US
This is the American spelling; British English uses "theatre."
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Word forms
- Plural
- theaters
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We got tickets to see a musical at the _____ downtown.
Etymology
From Greek théatron, "a place for viewing," from theáomai, "to watch."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for theater
See all rhymes for theater →Frequently asked questions
What does “theater” mean?
The word “theater” means a building where plays, films, or other performances are staged for an audience. In plain terms, a building for watching performances, the art of performance itself, or (in a military sense) a region of conflict.
How do you pronounce “theater”?
“Theater” is pronounced THEE-uh-tuh (/ˈθi(ə)tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “theater” in a sentence?
Here is “theater” used in a sentence: “We got tickets to see a musical at the theater downtown.”
What part of speech is “theater”?
“Theater” is a noun.
Where does the word “theater” come from?
The word “theater” comes from Greek. From Greek théatron, "a place for viewing," from theáomai, "to watch.".
Is “theater” a common word?
“Theater” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “theater” have?
“Theater” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building where plays, films, or other performances are staged for an audience.
What is the difference between "theater" and "theatre"?
They are the same word spelled differently. "Theater" is the standard American spelling, while "theatre" is preferred in British English and is often used in the U.S. for company and building names. Both mean a venue for performances or the art of drama itself.
What is the difference between a "theater" and a "cinema"?
In American usage, "theater" can mean both a venue for live plays and a "movie theater" where films are shown. In British English, a building for films is usually a "cinema," while "theatre" is reserved for live stage performances.
What is the difference between "theater" and "stage"?
"Theater" refers to the whole building, or to drama as an art form, while "stage" refers specifically to the raised platform where performers act. Someone might work "in theater" as a career while performing "on stage."
What are the main meanings of "theater"?
"Theater" chiefly means a building where plays, films, or other performances are staged, and, more abstractly, drama or performance as an art form, as in "musical theater." Both senses center on staged performance for an audience.
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