spectacle

noun

spec·​ta·​cle ˈspek-ti-kəl How to pronounce spectacle (audio)
 also  -ˌti-kəl
1
a
: something exhibited to view as unusual, notable, or entertaining
especially : an eye-catching or dramatic public display
b
: an object of curiosity or contempt
made a spectacle of herself
2
spectacles ˈspek-ti-kəlz How to pronounce spectacle (audio)
 also  -ˌti-kəlz
plural : a device used to correct defects of vision : glasses
3
: something (such as natural markings on an animal) suggesting a pair of glasses

Examples of spectacle in a Sentence

He peered through his spectacles. the multimedia spectacles that have become established parts of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games
Recent Examples on the Web The politics, in other words, were secondary to the spectacle. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 Just about 25 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip is a different kind of spectacle. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024 Fans started queueing up hours before the música mexicana megastar took the stage — one dedicated kid was there at 4 a.m., no typo — and all day, people were talking about the spectacle to come. Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 The hope was that the spectacle would put pressure on Vice President Mike Pence to reject the results from those states, kicking off a process that would end with the House deciding the election for Trump. Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Since Formula 1’s inception in 1950, with only six events in Europe (and the Indy 500 thrown in for good measure), the series has grown into a global spectacle, covering every continent except Africa and Antarctica. Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 The same problem impacts 3 Body Problem in terms of spectacle. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Trooping the Colour is the military spectacle performed by hundreds between Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade each summer. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 So, studios are leaning into spectacle to fill seats. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spectacle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin spectaculum, from spectare to watch, frequentative of specere to look, look at — more at spy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectacle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near spectacle

Cite this Entry

“Spectacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectacle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spectacle

noun
spec·​ta·​cle ˈspek-ti-kəl How to pronounce spectacle (audio)
1
a
: an unusual or impressive public display
b
: an object of curious or annoyed attention
made a spectacle of yourself at the party
2
Etymology

Middle English spectacle "spectacle," from early French spectacle (same meaning), from Latin spectaculum (same meaning), from spectare "to watch," from specere "to look, look at" — related to auspice, expect

More from Merriam-Webster on spectacle

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