camera

noun

cam·​era ˈkam-rə 

ˈka-mə-rə

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

: camera obscura

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

Their routine borrowed from the comedy team of Laurel and Hardy, including Hale looking straight into the camera in the way that Oliver Hardy had. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026

These Flock cameras, now deployed across the state, have also been used in a collaboration between the FWC and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to continuously pull up driver’s records and vehicle information. — Isabella Herrera, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

The video taken by Coyl himself, and republished by AZ Family, shows an officer holding a Taser at the person behind the camera. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

The front of the robot houses an AI Vision camera; ultrasonic and IR sensors that aid navigation, obstacle avoidance, and mapping; and a pair of LED lights for nighttime cleaning. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, room — more at chamber

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing camera

• body camera
• box camera
• camera lucida
• camera obscura
• camera person
• camera work
• candid camera
• catch (something) on camera
• dashboard camera
• digital camera
• doorbell camera
• gamma camera
• in camera
• off camera
• on camera
• Schmidt camera
• security camera
• streak camera
• video camera

Kids 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