arena

noun

are·​na ə-ˈrē-nə How to pronounce arena (audio)
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

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.
In hindsight, the brief North American arena run earlier this year seems like a friendly farewell to their longtime drummer. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025 This is a principle that works in the tech arena and holds fast in every sector. Raoul Davis, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 Tom Dubay, president of the Pratt Street Merchants Association, said the association members welcome the addition of more occupied retail space around the arena. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025 On Sunday, July 27, Strait will hold the Strait to the Heart special benefit dinner and concert at Estancia at Thunder Valley indoor arena in Boerne, Texas. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 11 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arena. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on arena

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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