spectacle

noun

USSPEK-tuh-kuhl/ˈspɛktəkl̩/

Pluralspectacles

5 meanings of spectacle

1
nouncountable
A grand or exciting sight that many people gather to watch.
Like a huge, colorful show that makes everyone stop and stare.
The fireworks display was a spectacle that thousands came to see.
Crowds gathered to watch the dazzling spectacle of the parade.
Similardisplay, show, extravaganza, sight, pageant
Note
2
nouncountable
An embarrassing or shameful scene that makes other people stare.
Like tripping and falling in front of a whole crowd.
He made a spectacle of himself shouting at the waiter.
Her public meltdown turned into an awkward spectacle.
Similarscene, exhibition, sideshow
Note
3
nounbefore a noun
Attributive form of spectacles. Use this before a noun to describe something to do with eyeglasses.
She bought a new spectacle case for her reading glasses.
The spectacle lenses were too thick for the small frame.
Note
4
nouncountable
The clear scale that covers and protects a snake's eye.
Like a tiny clear window built into the snake's face over its eye.
When a snake sheds, the spectacle over each eye comes off too.
A snake has no eyelids, so a clear spectacle shields each eye.
Similarbrille, eyecap
5
nouncountable
A frame of colored glass on a railroad signal that a lamp shines through at night.
Like a colored window on a signal that turns the lamp red or green at night.
At night the lamp shone through the spectacle to show a green light.
The signal's spectacle held both red and green glass.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin spectaculum meaning "a show," which comes from a word meaning "to see." It reached English through Middle French.