Definitions for spectacle
ˈspɛk tə kəlspec·ta·cle

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

1. spectaclenoun

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

   "the tragic spectacle of cripples trying to escape"

2. spectaclenoun

   an elaborate and remarkable display on a lavish scale

3. spectaclenoun

   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. spectaclenoun

   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. spectaclenoun

   An exciting exhibition, performance or event.

3. spectaclenoun

   An embarrassing situation

   He made a spectacle out of himself

4. spectaclenoun

   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. spectaclenoun

   An aid to the intellectual sight.

6. spectaclenoun

   A spyglass; a looking-glass.

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

1. Spectaclenoun

   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. Spectaclenoun

   a spy-glass; a looking-glass

3. Spectaclenoun

   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. Spectaclenoun

   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.]

Matched Categories

1. • Blunder
   • Display
   • Sight

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

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

How to pronounce spectacle?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

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. Terry Mattson:

   The sight of extreme athletes careering down an ice track outside Saint Paul's iconic cathedral is an awe-inspiring spectacle -- and one great big party.

2. Nancy Pelosi:

   Americans should be deeply concerned by Speaker Ryan’s sanctioning of this irresponsible decision and his complicity in allowing the Committee investigation to devolve into a sad political spectacle.

3. Jeff Wall:

   This has already become, and I think is only becoming more of, a public spectacle.

4. James Madison:

   What spectacle can be more edifying or more seasonable than that of Liberty and Learning, each leaning on the other for their natural and surest support.

5. The Nuggets:

   He took over, he’s just a spectacle to watch.

Popularity rank by frequency of use