Colosseum
[ kol-uh-see-uh m ]
/ ˌkɒl əˈsi əm /
noun
an ancient amphitheater in Rome, begun a.d. c70 by Vespasian, having the form of an oval 617 by 512 feet (188 by 156 meters).
(lowercase)
coliseum.
Origin of Colosseum
< Latin, noun use of neuter of
colossēus gigantic < Greek
kolossiaîos, equivalent to
koloss(ós)
colossus +
-iaios adj. suffix
Example sentences from the Web for colosseum
British Dictionary definitions for colosseum (1 of 2)
British Dictionary definitions for colosseum (2 of 2)
Colosseum
/ (ˌkɒləˈsɪəm) /
noun
an amphitheatre in Rome built about 75–80 ad
Cultural definitions for colosseum
Colosseum
A great arena of ancient Rome, which seated fifty thousand. It is in ruins today, but its former glory can still be imagined.
notes for Colosseum
Some of the contests staged in the Colosseum were between gladiators, who fought with swords; some were between people and animals. The arena could even be flooded for mock sea battles.
notes for Colosseum
According to tradition, persecuted
Christians (see also
Christian) were fed to lions in the Colosseum for the entertainment of the Romans. (
See also
bread and circuses.)