arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

plural arcades

1

: a long arched building or gallery

2

a

: an arched covered passageway or avenue (as between shops)

b

chiefly British : a building that includes many shops

A job fair … today will introduce locals to the details of the 250 jobs that a new shopping arcade will bring when its doors open this autumn.

—The Journal (Newcastle, England)

3

: a series of arches with their columns or piers

4

: an amusement center having coin-operated games

Examples of arcade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The re-imagined Kid’s Club, Loggers, is replete with crafting and culinary activities, a beach-resort feel depicting underwater images and a wall mural, an arcade with a variety of games and machines, and direct access to the Family Pool splash pad. —Paula Conway, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

What to expect: R-Day will feature live music, an arcade, food trucks and (of course) a beer garden, in front of the Original Rainier Brewery building on Airport Way. —Melissa Santos, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024

Hang out around the carnival games or arcade and save the roller coaster for after birth. —Sarah Bradley, Parents, 22 July 2024

The ceiling light panels filled the room with a hot pink glow like a retro dance floor reminiscent of mall arcades. —Essence, 19 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian arcata, from arco arch, from Latin arcus

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arcade

• amusement arcade
• arcade game
• penny arcade
• video arcade

Kids Definition

arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

1

: a row of arches with the columns that support them

2

: an arched or covered passageway (as between shops)

3

: a place with many games to be played by putting coins or tokens in them

Medical Definition

arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād 

1

: an anatomical structure comprising a series of arches

2

: dental arch