camera

noun

cam·​era ˈkam-rə How to pronounce camera (audio)
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)
2
: the treasury department of the papal curia
Phrases
off camera
1
: while not being filmed by a television or movie camera
he's a different person off camera
2
: outside the scope of a television or movie camera
sounds of gunfire taking place off camera
on camera
1
: before a live television camera
go on camera
also : while being filmed by a television or movie camera
looked relaxed on camera
2
: within the scope of a television or movie camera
you can hear a dog but he never appears on camera

Examples of camera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The dual camera layout also provides you with a wider view to eliminate blind spots, and intelligent recognition will not only tell you when there's a package, but remind you about it later. & John Mihaly, PC Magazine, 27 May 2025 Upgrade your home security with the Ring camera doorbell that’s under $60 now, or take the work out of vacuuming with this $120-off robot cleaner that does all the cleaning for you. Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 26 May 2025 For You's Michael Koman, recruits the camera crew behind the mockumentary chronicling the day-to-day of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company to do it again, this time with a failing Midwestern newspaper called The Truth Teller. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 26 May 2025 Filming our own videos as kids with our parents’ bulky handheld cameras. Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for camera

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, room — more at chamber

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of camera was in 1566

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Cite this Entry

“Camera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camera. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

camera

noun
cam·​era ˈkam-(ə-)rə How to pronounce camera (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on camera

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