coliseum

noun

col·​i·​se·​um ˌkä-lə-ˈsē-əm How to pronounce coliseum (audio)
1
capitalized : colosseum sense 1
2
: a large sports stadium or building designed like the Colosseum for public entertainments

Examples of coliseum in a Sentence

the local coliseum is a standard stop for rock bands on tour
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The second stop is Expo Park/USC, that leaves you even closer to the coliseum, about a 4-minute walk. Coliseum officials recommend that riders purchase a $3.50 round-trip fare at the beginning of their trip to avoid ticket lines when the events are over. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 Housed in the basement of the coliseum, Underhill offers 40,000 square feet of ghouls and ghosts that are suitable for all ages, according to its website. Kale Williams, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024 The ancient and modern mix feels surreal, unlike Coppola’s anachronistic art-deco Chrysler-building motifs that contrast ancient Roman coliseum and digital-era grandiosity. Armond White, National Review, 9 Oct. 2024 Always experiencing an identity crisis as evident in the ever-changing naming rights associated with the coliseum, sadness exudes from the concrete edifice. Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coliseum 

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin Colosseum, Colisseum

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coliseum was in 1660

Dictionary Entries Near coliseum

Cite this Entry

“Coliseum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coliseum. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

coliseum

noun
col·​i·​se·​um ˌkäl-ə-ˈsē-əm How to pronounce coliseum (audio)
: a large structure (as a stadium) for athletic contests or public entertainment
Etymology

from the Latin spelling used in the Middle Ages for the Colosseum, a great outdoor arena in ancient Rome

More from Merriam-Webster on coliseum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!