Definitions for spectacle
ˈspɛk tə kəlspec·ta·cle

Princeton's WordNet(5.00 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. spectacle(noun)

   something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

   "the tragic spectacle of cripples trying to escape"

2. spectacle(noun)

   an elaborate and remarkable display on a lavish scale

3. spectacle(noun)

   a blunder that makes you look ridiculous; used in the phrase `make a spectacle of' yourself

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. spectacle(Noun)

   Something exhibited to view; usually, something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show; a pageant

2. spectacle(Noun)

   An exciting exhibition, performance or event.

3. spectacle(Noun)

   An embarrassing situation

   He made a spectacle out of himself

4. spectacle(Noun)

   An optical instrument consisting of two lenses set in a light frame, and worn to assist sight, to obviate some defect in the organs of vision, or to shield the eyes from bright light.

5. spectacle(Noun)

   An aid to the intellectual sight.

6. spectacle(Noun)

   A spyglass; a looking-glass.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Spectacle(noun)

   something exhibited to view; usually, something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show; a pageant; a gazingstock

2. Spectacle(noun)

   a spy-glass; a looking-glass

3. Spectacle(noun)

   an optical instrument consisting of two lenses set in a light frame, and worn to assist sight, to obviate some defect in the organs of vision, or to shield the eyes from bright light

4. Spectacle(noun)

   fig.: An aid to the intellectual sight

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Spectacle

   In general, spectacle refers to an event that is memorable for the appearance it creates. Derived in Middle English from c. 1340 as "specially prepared or arranged display" it was borrowed from Old French spectacle, itself a reflection of the Latin spectaculum "a show" from spectare "to view, watch" frequentative form of specere "to look at." The word spectacle has also been a term of art in theater dating from the 17th century in English drama.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Spectacle

   spek′ta-kl, n. a sight: show, a pageant, exhibition: (pl.) a pair of lenses mounted in frames to assist the sight, aids to mental vision: a marking resembling spectacles, as in the cobra.—adjs. Spec′tacled, wearing spectacles: marked like spectacles, as the bear, cobra, &c.; Spectac′ular, marked by display.—n. Spectacular′ity.—adv. Spectac′ularly. [L. spectaculum—spectāre, -ātum, intens. of specĕre, to look at.]

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'spectacle' in Nouns Frequency: #2664

How to pronounce spectacle?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say spectacle in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of spectacle in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of spectacle in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of spectacle in a Sentence

1. Liberty Levin:

   This was a sham, this was a scam, this was a spectacle.

2. George Will:

   If your job is to leaven ordinary lives with elevating spectacle, be elevating or be gone.

3. Adam Lambert:

   We have been designing a brand new visual spectacle that will reframe these iconic songs and we are excited to unveil it ! .

4. Mayumi Matsumoto:

   It's good that people want to come to Namie, but not if they just want to get close to the nuclear plant. I don't want it to become a spectacle.

5. Nikki Haley:

   Our family hopes the people of South Carolina will join us in staying away from the disruptive, hateful spectacle members of the Ku Klux Klan hope to create over the weekend and instead focus on what brings us together.

Images & Illustrations of spectacle

Popularity rank by frequency of use