1
a
: a device that consists of a lightproof chamber with an aperture fitted with a lens and a shutter through which the image of an object is projected onto a surface for recording (as on a photosensitive film or an electronic sensor) or for translation into electrical impulses (as for television broadcast)
b
2
: the treasury department of the papal curia
see also off camera, on camera
Examples of camera in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.
—
Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The new portrait shows the president with his fists on the Resolute Desk, staring directly into the camera.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The camera also cut to a shot of Martin Short clapping while seated next to his fellow Only Murders in the Building actor Steve Martin, who also laughed at the quip.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Lawrence and husband Cooke Maroney served soft smiles for the cameras.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for camera
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Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
The new portrait shows the president with his fists on the Resolute Desk, staring directly into the camera.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The camera also cut to a shot of Martin Short clapping while seated next to his fellow Only Murders in the Building actor Steve Martin, who also laughed at the quip.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Lawrence and husband Cooke Maroney served soft smiles for the cameras.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for camera
Cite this Entry
“Camera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camera. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
camera
noun
cam·era
ˈkam-(ə-)rə 
1
: a judge's private office
hearings held in camera
2
: a lightproof box fitted with a lens through which the image of an object is projected onto a surface that is sensitive to light for recording (as on film) or for converting into electrical signals (as for a live television broadcast)
Etymology
from Latin camera "room, chamber"; sense 2 from the scientific Latin phrase camera obscura, literally, "dark chamber" — related to chamber
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