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)

colosseum
/ (ˌkɒləˈsɪəm) /

noun

a variant spelling of coliseum

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.)