n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' r ē -n ə
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin harena, arena sand, sandy place
Date: 1600
1 : an area in a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats
2 a : an enclosed area used for public entertainment b : a building containing an arena
3 a : a sphere of interest, activity, or competition <the political arena > b : a place or situation for controversy <in the public arena >