Usually a large, open, outdoor theater-like facility, with seating in a fan-shape and up-slope from a central stage or performing area, developed on the natural contour of the land with as little modification of the general setting as possible
The circular structure characterized by rising tiers of stone seats contained within an arched stone outer wall that was used by Romans for circus performances and gladiatorial contest
Large oval, circular, or semicircular outdoor theater with rising tiers of seats around an open playing area; also, an exceptionally large indoor auditorium
a sloping gallery with seats for spectators (as in an operating room or theater)
an oval large stadium with tiers of seats; an arena in which contests and spectacles are held
In a way the Amphitheater is the successor of the stone pulpit on the lakeside The Amphitheater was designed with the lake itself as the background The upward slope behind the seats allows for an almost unlimited crowd of people
( =large theater) An arena encircled by seats; used by Romans to view gladiator exhibititions Colesseum was larger yet
the design of classical Greek theaters, consisting of a stage area surrounded by a semicircle of tiered seats
an oval large stadium with tiers of seats; an arena in which contests and spectacles are held a sloping gallery with seats for spectators (as in an operating room or theater)
Anything resembling an amphitheater in form; as, a level surrounded by rising slopes or hills, or a rising gallery in a theater
Freestanding, open-air round or oval structure with a central arena and tiers of concentric seats. The amphitheater originated in ancient Italy (Etruria and Campania) and reflects the entertainment forms popular there, including gladiatorial games and contests of animals with one another or of men with animals. The earliest extant amphitheater is one built at Pompeii ( 80 BC). Examples survive throughout the former provinces of the Roman empire, the most famous being Rome's Colosseum
am·phi·thea·tre amphitheatres in AM, use amphitheater An amphitheatre is a large open area surrounded by rows of seats sloping upwards. Amphitheatres were built mainly in Greek and Roman times for the performance of plays. a large circular building without a roof and with many rows of seats (amphitheatrum, from , from amphi- ( AMPHIBIOUS) + theatron ( THEATER))