In general, spectacle refers to an event that is memorable for the appearance it creates. Derived in Middle English from c. 1340 as "specially prepared or arranged display" it was borrowed from Old French spectacle, itself a reflection of the Latin spectaculum "a show" from spectare "to view, watch" frequentative form of specere "to look at." The word spectacle has also been a term of art in theater dating from the 17th century in English drama.

Als Spektakel ( = Schauspiel, Augenweide, Anblick, auch Krach, Lärm) bezeichnet man allgemein ein Ereignis, das Aufsehen erregt.

Um é uma representação pública que impressiona ou é destinada a impressionar. Pode ser uma apresentação teatral, musical,  cinematográfica, circense, uma exibição de trabalhos artísticos etc.