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. Bill Taddicken:

   The first time I encountered it, I was blown away by the magnificence of the spectacle. One time a lady kind of berated me about the fact that I said it was going to be ‘life changing.’ She didn’t think it could ever be that impressive, after spending some time out there, she came back and apologized. She’s now been a volunteer with us every year for the past 12 years.

2. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown:

   The residents of Harney County have been overlooked and underserved by federal officials' response thus far, this spectacle of lawlessness must end. And until Harney County is free of it I will not stop insisting that federal officials enforce the law.

3. Liberty Levin:

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

4. Michael Zeldin:

   It will be a spectacle. No question about that, but after the midday TV drama is over, we'll see if there is anything that amounts to something from a legal perspective.

5. Deodatta V. Shenai-Khatkhate:

   La vie humaine est souvent comparée à un jardin de roses. Il est parfaitement logique pour moi. que nous marchons à travers le jardin, nous sommes toujours rafraîchi et rajeuni par la brise qui transporte la capture étonnamment parfum exquis de belles fleurs tout autour. La vie semble si merveilleux en ce moment même. Et, en certaines occasions, un spectacle de plantes séchées, avec des pétales secs qui traînent, cueilli des fleurs et des tas de feuilles mortes morts tout autour de nous attrister beaucoup. Une brise froid brutal nous fait frissonner avec le chèque de la sombre réalité choquante. La vie peut être si incroyable et magnifique, et pourtant peut être si froid et cruel parfois .... comme un jardin de roses.

Images & Illustrations of spectacle

Popularity rank by frequency of use