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hippodrome

/ˌhɪpəˈdroʊm/
IPA guide

Other forms: hippodromes

A hippodrome isn't a home for those massive gray mammals you see in documentaries — it's a big, open stadium that was used in ancient times for horse and chariot races.

The word hippodrome comes from the Greek words hippos, meaning "horse, and dromos, meaning "road or course." In ancient civilizations, like Greece and Rome, hippodromes were bustling venues where people gathered to watch thrilling horse and chariot races. These structures were grand and circular, often packed with cheering spectators. Imagine a racetrack, but with chariots thundering around, creating a spectacle for everyone watching. Today, some modern sports stadiums are still called hippodromes, keeping the excitement of those ancient races alive in a new era.

Definitions of hippodrome
  1. noun
    a stadium for horse shows or horse races
    see moresee less
    type of:
    arena, bowl, sports stadium, stadium
    a large structure for open-air sports or entertainments
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