a building or outdoor area in which plays and other dramatic performances are given 戏院,剧场;影剧院 ■[mass noun](常作 the theatre)the activity or profession of acting in, producing, directing, or writing plays 戏剧(行业) what made you want to go into the theatre?. 是什么使你想从事戏剧这一行?。 ■[mass noun]a play or other activity or presentation considered in terms of its dramatic quality 戏剧效果 this is intense, moving, and inspiring theatre. 这个戏剧效果紧张、感人又鼓舞人心。 ■(chiefly N. Amer. & W. Indian)a cinema (主北美,西印度)电影院 ■(亦作 lecture theatre)a room or hall for lectures with seats in tiers 阶梯式讲堂(或教室) ■(Brit.)an operating theatre (英)手术室 ■the area in which something happens (事件发生的)场所 a new theatre of war has been opened up. 新的战区已经开辟。 ■[as modifier]denoting weapons for use in a particular region between tactical and strategic 战区(介乎战术与战略之间) he was working on theatre defence missiles. 他正在研制战区防御导弹。
语源
late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin theatrum, from Greek theatron, from theasthai 'behold'