ˈθɪətə n. (US theater) 1 a a
building or
outdoor area for dramatic performances. b a
cinema. 2 a
the writing and production of plays. b
effective material for the
stage (makes
good theatre). 3 a
room or
hall for lectures etc.
with seats in tiers. 4
Brit. an operating theatre. 5 a a
scene or
field of
action (the theatre of war). b (attrib.) designating weapons
intermediate between tactical and
strategic (theatre
nuclear missiles). 6 a
natural land-formation in a gradually
rising part-circle like ancient
Greek and
Roman theatres. øtheatre-goer a frequenter of theatres. theatre-going frequenting theatres. theatre-in-the-round a dramatic
performance on a stage surrounded by spectators. theatre
sister a
nurse supervising the
nursing team in an operating theatre. [ME f. OF t(h)eatre or f. L theatrum f. Gk theatron f. theaomai behold]