Traveling entertainment shows featuring acrobats, clowns, animals, and performers; or public spectacles, or in ancient Rome, large open arenas for chariot races.
From Latin 'circus' meaning 'circle,' from the circular shape of Roman arenas. The modern entertainment circus emerged in the 18th century.
Roman circuses held up to 250,000 people—that's larger than modern stadiums!—and chariot racing was so popular it sometimes sparked actual riots between fan factions!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.