Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - spectacle

(spectacles) 1. Glasses are sometimes referred to as spectacles. (FORMAL) He looked at me over the tops of his spectacles. ...thick spectacle frames. N-PLURAL: also a pair of N 2. A spectacle is a strange or interesting sight. It was a spectacle not to be missed... = sight N-COUNT 3. A spectacle is a grand and impressive event or performance. 94,000 people turned up for the spectacle. ...a director passionate about music and spectacle. = extravaganza N-VAR 4. rose-coloured spectacles: see rose-coloured