n.
- a building in which plays and other dramatic performances are given.
▸chiefly N. Amer. & W. Indian a cinema.
- the writing and production of plays.
- a play or other activity considered in terms of its dramatic quality.
-
(also lecture theatre)
a room for lectures with seats in tiers.
- Brit. an operating theatre.
- the area in which something happens:
a theatre of war.
▸
[as modifier]
denoting weapons intermediate between tactical and strategic.
Etymology
ME: from OFr., or from L. theatrum, from Gk theatron, from theasthai ‘behold’.