( BrE ) ( NAmE -ter ) / ˈæmfɪθɪətə(r); NAmE -θiːətər/ noun
1.
a round building without a roof and with rows of seats that rise in steps around an open space. Amphitheatres were used especially in ancient Greece and Rome for public entertainments.
2.
a room, hall or theatre with rows of seats that rise in steps
3.
( technical ) an open space that is surrounded by high sloping land
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via Latin from Greek amphitheatron , from amphi on both sides + theatron , from theasthai behold.