# theatre

/ˈθiətɝ/ (US) · /θˈiətɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/theatre
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. performance venue

noun · CEFR A1 · British English

a building or outdoor area where people go to watch plays, concerts, or other performances.

For teachers: a building or outdoor area designed for the performance of plays, operas, or concerts.

- We bought tickets for the new musical at the theatre in the city centre.
- The historic theatre underwent a massive renovation to restore the ornate gold leaf on the ceiling while modernising the acoustics for contemporary audiences.

Usage: The spelling 'theatre' is standard in British, Australian, and Canadian English; 'theater' is the American spelling.

### 2. the dramatic arts

noun · CEFR B1

the work of writing, acting in, and producing plays.

For teachers: the profession or art of writing, acting in, or producing dramatic works.

- She decided to study theatre because she loved performing on stage.
- His contribution to experimental theatre changed how directors approached the relationship between the audience and the performers.

Usage: Often used without an article when referring to the industry or art form.

### 3. a cinema

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

a place where you go to watch films.

For teachers: a venue for the screening of motion pictures.

- The local theatre is showing the new superhero movie all weekend.
- The independent theatre specialises in foreign language films that rarely get a wide release in the major chains.

Teaching tip: While 'cinema' is more common in the UK, 'theatre' (or 'movie theatre') is frequently used in Canada and Australia for this sense.

### 4. operating room

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a special room in a hospital where doctors perform medical operations.

For teachers: a room in a hospital equipped for surgical operations.

- The patient was taken into the theatre for his heart surgery at noon.
- The surgical team spent six hours in the theatre performing a complex procedure to repair the damaged artery.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'operating theatre'.

## Examples

- We are going to the theatre to see a new play.
- The local theatre is hosting a festival of classic films and modern stage performances all next week.
- While the city is famous for its grand opera house, the smaller experimental theatre in the basement of the library offers more daring and innovative productions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.