1. a semicircular or half-circular structure, room, or arrangement
Usage: often used in architecture and legislative contexts
2. the chamber of a parliament or legislative assembly arranged in a semicircular form
Usage: common in European legislative bodies

Examples

• The European Parliament's hemicycle is designed to encourage dialogue among representatives.
• The ancient theater featured a hemicycle of stone seating carved into the hillside.
• Legislators sat in the hemicycle, facing one another across the chamber.
• The hemicycle architecture of the building created excellent acoustics for speeches.
• Many modern parliaments have adopted the hemicycle layout to promote democratic discussion.
• The hemicycle arrangement allows all members to see and hear each other clearly.