( US theater )
■ noun
1》 a building in which plays and other dramatic performances are given.
↘ chiefly N. Amer. & W. Indian a cinema.
2》 the writing and production of plays.
3》 a play or other activity considered in terms of its dramatic quality.
4》 (also lecture ~ ) a room for lectures with seats in tiers.
5》 Brit. an operating ~.
6》 the area in which something happens: a ~ of war.
↘[as modifier ] denoting weapons intermediate between tactical and strategic.
Origin
ME: from OFr., or from L. theatrum , from Gk theatron , from theasthai 'behold'.