Word forms: theatersregional note: in BRIT, use theatre
1. countable noun & noun, in names
A theater is a building with a stage in it, on which plays, shows, and other performances take place.
They brought her to the theater where their new musical was in production.
2. singular noun
You can refer to work in the theater such as acting or writing plays as the theater.
The story of her career in the theater is told in a new biography.
3. countable noun
A theater or a movie theater is a place where people go to watch movies for entertainment.
[US]regional note: in BRIT, use cinema
A movie theater and roller rink attracted customers and profit.
4. uncountable noun
Theater is entertainment that involves the performance of plays.
...American musical theater.
More Synonyms of theater
theater in American English
(ˈθiətər) or ˈtheatre (ˈθiətər)
noun
1.
a place where plays, operas, films, etc. are presented; esp., a building or outdoor structure expressly designed for such presentations
2.
any place resembling a theater, esp. a lecture hall, surgical clinic, etc., having the floor of the seating space raked
3.
any place where events take place; scene of operations; specif., an area of military operations, as in a war
a commander in the Southern Pacific theater
4.
a.
the dramatic art or dramatic works; drama
b.
the theatrical world; people engaged in theatrical activity
c.
the legitimate theater, as distinguished from films, TV, etc.
often with the
5.
theatrical technique, production, etc. with reference to its effectiveness
a play that is good theater
Word origin
ME theatre < OFr < L theatrum < Gr theatron < base of theasthai, to see, view < IE base *dhāu-, to see > Gr thauma, miracle
Examples of 'theater' in a sentence
theater
She had left a note explaining that she was going to dinner and the theater in Boston with some of her women friends.
Andrews, Virginia WEB OF DREAMS (2001)
Finally, she announced the showing of the movie in `Our private movie theater ".
Andrews, Virginia WEB OF DREAMS (2001)
That way I'll have an excuse to be at the theater during callbacks.
Malcolm, Jahnna N. LEO: STAGE FRIGHT (2001)
All related terms of 'theater'
theatre
A theatre is a building with a stage in it, on which plays, shows, and other performances take place.
art theater
→ art house
arena theater
a theater having a central stage without a proscenium , surrounded by seats
movie theater
A movie theater is a place where people go to watch films for entertainment .
dinner theater
a theatre at which dinner is included in the price of a ticket
little theater
a small theater, usually noncommercial and amateur , that produces experimental drama , often directed at a limited audience
retail theater
A retail theater is a display in a store that is very theatrical , artistic and creative , and deliberately designed to make shopping entertaining .
street theater
an amateur theatrical production performed in a street, park, etc. or indoors , usually for a nonpaying audience , with an improvised script generally on a social or political theme
summer theater
a theater that puts on plays or musicals during the summer
guerrilla theater
a form of propaganda or political protest in which a group of activists perform satirical skits , sing songs, engage in playful pranks , etc. in the midst of a public event or activity
repertory theater
a theater in which a permanent company presents several plays, operas , etc. for a season , usually alternating them in limited runs
theater-in-the-round
→ arena theater
theater of the absurd
avant-garde , mid-20th-cent. drama made up of apparently absurd , incongruous , or pointless situations and dialogue , typically expressing the existential nature of self-isolation, anxiety , frustration , etc.