arena

noun

are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce arena (audio)
Synonyms of arena
1
: an area in a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats
2
a
: an enclosed area used for public entertainment
b
: a building containing an arena
3
a
: a sphere of interest, activity, or competition
the political arena
b
: a place or situation for controversy
in the public arena

Synonyms of arena

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Examples of arena in a Sentence

Congress became an arena of opposing views. the toughest political arena in the world The economic arena has been dominated by that country.
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.
For the arena version of the tour, Styles and his airtight band, led by fan-favorite drummer Sarah Jones, are situated in the center of an oval. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Unlike conventional tours, which are announced all at once, Brooks’ Instagram hinted at a return to arena shows in a post on July 7 before naming the first tour stop in Indiana. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 The cutting arena at Bosque Ranch also has editing bays, where Sheridan and his team put together shows. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 The move puts professional women’s volleyball inside one of the newest major-league arenas in the country as the franchise attempts to establish itself in Los Angeles’ crowded sports market. — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arena

Word History

Etymology

Latin harena, arena sand, sandy place

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of arena was in 1600

Phrases Containing arena

Rhymes for arena

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

arena

noun
are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce arena (audio)
1
: an enclosed area used for public entertainment
2
: a building containing an arena
3
: a field of activity
the political arena
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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