arcade

noun

ar·​cade är-ˈkād How to pronounce arcade (audio)
plural arcades
Synonyms of arcade
1
: a long arched building or gallery
2
a
: an arched covered passageway or avenue (as between shops)
b
chiefly British : a building that includes many shops
A job fair … today will introduce locals to the details of the 250 jobs that a new shopping arcade will bring when its doors open this autumn.—The Journal (Newcastle, England)
3
: a series of arches with their columns or piers
4
: an amusement center having coin-operated games

Examples of arcade in a Sentence

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.
Using modern game design software, students create different types of video games including arcade, role-playing and first-person shooter games. — Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Malls, once anchored by department stores, are reinventing themselves as experience hubs—think escape rooms, arcades and bowling alleys, with small commerce areas tucked in alongside. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 Many seemed to enjoy Fight Forever’s arcade style of in-game combat, but some criticisms called out its bare-boned Create-A-Wrestler features. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Definitely not, but for those who appreciate this era of trailblazing, 3D polygonal arcade racing games, Cyber Cycles’ home release is an important milestone. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arcade

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian arcata, from arco arch, from Latin arcus

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of arcade was in 1685

Phrases Containing arcade

Rhymes for arcade

See All Rhymes for arcade

Browse Nearby Words

Arcacea
arcade
arcaded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arcade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arcade. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

arcade

noun
ar·​cade är-ˈkād How to pronounce arcade (audio)
1
: a row of arches with the columns that support them
2
: an arched or covered passageway (as between shops)
3
: a place with many games to be played by putting coins or tokens in them

Medical Definition

arcade

noun
ar·​cade är-ˈkād How to pronounce arcade (audio)
1
: an anatomical structure comprising a series of arches
2
: dental arch

More from Merriam-Webster on arcade

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for arcade

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arcade

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