arena

noun

are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə 

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

Synonyms

• amphitheater
• auditorium
• garden
• hall
• theater
• theatre

Examples of arena in a Sentence

Congress became an arena of opposing views.

the toughest political arena in the world

The economic arena has been dominated by that country.

Recent Examples on the Web

Will you be inspired to return the sequel to the arena of the Academy Awards? —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

The arena opens at 5:30pm and fans should be in their seats by 6:45pm for player introductions. —Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024

While the potential impact of AI spans virtually all industries, three sectors—tax and accounting, healthcare, and transportation—stand out as arenas where AI's influence is both profound and immediate. —Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Americans’ safety and prosperity require Washington to participate in every possible international arena. —Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin harena, arena sand, sandy place

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arena

• arena football
• arena theater

Kids Definition

arena

noun

are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə 

1

: an enclosed area used for public entertainment

2

: a building containing an arena

3

: a field of activity

the political arena