ar·cade [arcadearcades] BrE [ɑːˈkeɪd] NAmE [ɑːrˈkeɪd] noun 1. a covered passage with arches along the side of a row of buildings (usually a row of shops/stores) 2. a covered passage between streets, with shops/stores on either side 3. (alsoˈshopping arcade) (both BrE)a large building with a number of shops/stores in it compare ↑shopping mall 4. (BrE also aˈmusement arcade)a place where you can play games on machines which you use coins to operate •arcade games See also: ↑amusement arcade▪ ↑shopping arcade
Word Origin: late 17th cent.: from French, from Provençal arcada or Italian arcata, based on Latin arcus ‘bow’.
