The word "theme-park" is a modern compound, first used in the mid-20th century to describe a new evolution of the traditional amusement park. Its first element, "theme," originates from the Greek 'thema,' meaning something set down or proposed, which evolved through Latin and French to signify a subject or topic. The second element, "park," derives from the Old French 'parc,' an enclosure for animals, a word of Germanic origin related to fencing. The compound's logic is transparent: it denotes a recreational park organized around a unifying subject or narrative, such as adventure, fantasy, or a specific cultural concept, distinguishing it from a collection of unrelated rides.

Structure: theme + park - theme: From Greek 'thema' (a proposition, something laid down), via Latin and French. In this compound, it functions as a modifier meaning "based on a central subject or idea". - park: From Old French 'parc' (an enclosed area), of Germanic origin. In this compound, it functions as the head noun meaning "a large public green area or recreational ground".