the·ater
ˈthē-ə-tər 
ˈthē-tər,
ˈthēə-tər,
usually in Southern ˈthē-ˌā-,
also
thē-ˈā-
variants
or theatre
1
a
: a building or area for dramatic performances
b
: a building or area for showing motion pictures
c
: an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome
3
: a place or sphere of enactment of usually significant events or action
the theater of public life
4
a
: a place rising by steps or gradations
a woody theater of stateliest view—
John Milton
John Milton
b
: a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)
5
a
: dramatic or theatrical quality or effectiveness
c
: entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events
their public feud made for good theater
: of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a theater of operations
theater nuclear weapons
Synonyms
Examples of theater in a Sentence
Noun
the oldest theater in the city
the theater district in New York City
The film is now showing in theaters.
We enjoyed a weekend of music, dance, and theater.
He was very fond of the theater and had purchased tickets for several performances.
Her interests include theater and poetry.
the theater of 16th-century England
She majored in theater in college.
a course in American theater
His monologues made for good theater.
Recent Examples on the WebCady Lang, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Jim Carrey had three films in theaters, of varying quality: Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and The Mask.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 26 Apr. 2024
Spielberg was last in theaters with 2022’s The Fabelmans, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024
The follow-up film, which was also directed by Marshall and introduced the world to Chris Pine, was equally successful in theaters with $134 million worldwide.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is expected to release in theaters and on Peacock Feb. 14, 2025.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
Audiences began showing up in theaters to watch it, with younger viewers going to see it multiple times, the Times also said.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
The beloved rom-com debuted in theaters on April 23, 2004, and to mark the 20th anniversary, castmates Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Judy Greer posted a Zoom conversation on Instagram.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2024
The film arrives in theaters on May 3 and will be available digitally the same day.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024
Christopher Arnott, courant.com, 23 June 2021
The rebirth of the Pantages Theatre as a venue for Broadway road shows brought audience members there for pre-theater meals.
—Linda Deutsch, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Imax has unveiled a multi-theater deal with Cinema 21, Indonesia’s largest cinema chain, for ten new giant screens with laser projection systems.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2023
The best place for a pre-or post-theater meal and why.
—Shivani Vora, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023
Your pre-theater meal just got a lot more exciting.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2022
Their hours of operation start at the pre-theater time of 5 p.m. and end at 2 a.m.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2022
Here are some trusty pre- and post-theater haunts to consider, ranging from most convenient to slightly less convenient, but still worthy.
—Megha McSwain, Chron, 24 Aug. 2022
Noun
This week, her latest and much anticipated film, Challengers, releases in theaters, putting Zendaya squarely in the spotlight as Tashi Duncan, a powerful tennis competitor at the center of a steamy love triangle.
—Cady Lang, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Jim Carrey had three films in theaters, of varying quality: Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and The Mask.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 26 Apr. 2024
Spielberg was last in theaters with 2022’s The Fabelmans, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024
The follow-up film, which was also directed by Marshall and introduced the world to Chris Pine, was equally successful in theaters with $134 million worldwide.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is expected to release in theaters and on Peacock Feb. 14, 2025.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
Audiences began showing up in theaters to watch it, with younger viewers going to see it multiple times, the Times also said.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
The beloved rom-com debuted in theaters on April 23, 2004, and to mark the 20th anniversary, castmates Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Judy Greer posted a Zoom conversation on Instagram.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2024
The film arrives in theaters on May 3 and will be available digitally the same day.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024
Adjective
My perspective is from a non-theater place.
—Christopher Arnott, courant.com, 23 June 2021
The rebirth of the Pantages Theatre as a venue for Broadway road shows brought audience members there for pre-theater meals.
—Linda Deutsch, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Imax has unveiled a multi-theater deal with Cinema 21, Indonesia’s largest cinema chain, for ten new giant screens with laser projection systems.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2023
The best place for a pre-or post-theater meal and why.
—Shivani Vora, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023
Your pre-theater meal just got a lot more exciting.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2022
Their hours of operation start at the pre-theater time of 5 p.m. and end at 2 a.m.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2022
Here are some trusty pre- and post-theater haunts to consider, ranging from most convenient to slightly less convenient, but still worthy.
—Megha McSwain, Chron, 24 Aug. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Theater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theater. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
theater
noun
the·ater
variants
or theatre
1
: a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations)
2
usually theatre, British
: a hospital operating room
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