n.
Variant: or the · atre
Pronunciation: ' th ē - ə -t ə r, ' th ē ə -, oftenest in Southern ' th ē - ˌ ā - also th ē - ' ā -
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English theatre, from Middle French, from Latin theatrum, from Greek theatron, from theasthai to view, from thea act of seeing; akin to Greek thauma miracle
Date: 14th century
1 a : an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome b : a building or area for dramatic performances c : a building or area for showing motion pictures
2 : a place or sphere of enactment of usually significant events or action <the theater of public life>
3 a : a place rising by steps or gradations <a woody theater of stateliest view ― John Milton> b : a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)
4 a : dramatic literature : PLAYS b : dramatic representation as an art or profession : DRAMA
5 a : dramatic or theatrical quality or effectiveness b : SPECTACLE 1A c : entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events <their public feud made for good theater >
6 : THEATER OF OPERATIONS