spectacle
noun
spec·ta·cle
ˈspek-ti-kəl 
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
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
Synonyms
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
To catch the spectacle, head far from light pollution and look near, but not directly within, the Gemini constellation.
—
Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
This is because for delivering sheer cinematic spectacle in the home, nearly everything, perhaps bar gaming, is better on a projector.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Guests shared their memories of the shows brought back to life in Inventing the Runway—from the mirrored cube of Alexander McQueen’s Voss to the lavender fields of Jacquemus’s spring 2020 offering—before heading down to take in the spectacle in Lightroom’s immersive space.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2024
The photographer has captured the spectacle almost every year since, missing the parade just twice in over a quarter of a century.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spectacle 
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Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2024
This is because for delivering sheer cinematic spectacle in the home, nearly everything, perhaps bar gaming, is better on a projector.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Guests shared their memories of the shows brought back to life in Inventing the Runway—from the mirrored cube of Alexander McQueen’s Voss to the lavender fields of Jacquemus’s spring 2020 offering—before heading down to take in the spectacle in Lightroom’s immersive space.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2024
The photographer has captured the spectacle almost every year since, missing the parade just twice in over a quarter of a century.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spectacle
Dictionary Entries Near spectacle
Cite this Entry
“Spectacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectacle. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spectacle
noun
spec·ta·cle
ˈspek-ti-kəl
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
plural
: glass entry 1 sense 2b
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