theater

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A region where a particular action takes place; a specific field of action, usually with reference to war.

   His grandfather was in the Pacific theater during the war.

2. 2
   noun

   An operating theatre or locale for human experimentation.

   This man is about to die, get him into theater at once!

3. 3
   noun

   A cinema.

   We sat in the back row of the theater and threw popcorn at the screen.

4. 4
   noun

   Drama or performance as a profession or art form.

   I worked in theater for twenty-five years.

5. 5
   noun

   A conspicuous but unproductive display of action.

   The Senate confirmation hearings were just theater.

6. 6
   noun

   a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

7. 7
   noun

   the art of writing and producing plays

8. 8
   noun

   a region in which active military operations are in progress

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English theater, theatre, from Old French theatre, from Latin theātrum, from Ancient Greek θέᾱτρον (théātron, “a place for viewing”), from θεᾰ́ομαι (theắomai, “to see", "to watch", "to observe”). Doublet of tiatr.