arena

(ə-rēˈnə)

noun

1. a. An enclosed area for the presentation of sports events and spectacles.
   b. A building housing such an area
2. A place or scene where forces contend or events unfold: withdrew from the political arena; the world as an arena of moral conflict.
3. The area in the center of an ancient Roman amphitheater where contests and other spectacles were held.

Word History: Fans watching contact sports such as boxing, hockey, or football in modern arenas might be struck by the connection between the word arena and the notion of gladiatorial combat. This word is from Latin harēna (also spelled arēna), “sand.” Harēna then came to mean the part of a Roman amphitheater that was covered with sand to absorb the blood spilled by the combatants. Arena is first recorded in English during the 17th century, denoting this area of a Roman amphitheater.