auditorium

noun

au·​di·​to·​ri·​um ˌȯ-də-ˈtȯr-ē-əm 

plural auditoriums or auditoria ˌȯ-də-ˈtȯr-ē-ə 

1

: the part of a public building where an audience sits

2

: a room, hall, or building used for public gatherings

Synonyms

• amphitheater
• arena
• garden
• hall
• theater
• theatre

Examples of auditorium in a Sentence

will hold the town meeting in the high school auditorium

Recent Examples on the Web

The packed auditorium, with a cross-section of the local Asian American community, clapped and hollered in approval. —Amy Qin, New York Times, 1 June 2024

Inside are three exhibitions, two labs, and a 900-seat auditorium. —Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2024

Charlotte Film Society, a 40-year-old nonprofit dedicated to bringing foreign, classic and independent films to Charlotte, opened The Independent Picture House in June 2022 at 4237 Raleigh St. with three auditoriums. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024

So many people filed into the March Life Tribute Center in Randallstown that halfway through a Friday night celebration of life service for the 38-year-old construction worker and father, Pastor Anthony Lecocq asked people standing in the back of the auditorium to move toward the sides. —Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin audītōrium "lecture room, hall, body of listeners," from audīre "to hear" + -tōrium, suffix of places, from neuter of -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix — more at audible entry 1, auditory entry 2

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

auditorium

noun

au·​di·​to·​ri·​um ˌȯd-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əm 

-ˈtȯr-

1

: the part of a public building where an audience sits

2

: a room, hall, or building used for public gatherings