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

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

But social media also directly competes with the streamer for the time and eyeballs of viewers—with some social media fanatics spending hours per day watching their favorite creators preen in front of the camera, tell stories, and attempt stunts. —Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

The original series from director Andrew Jarecki, who spent hours interviewing a surprisingly cooperative Durst on camera, was a huge cultural moment, spawning headlines and endless dinner conversations. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024

The 65-year-old actor strummed on his guitar while his daughter sat closer to the camera. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024

Me: One thing that does interest me is that there are no cameras and that’s because of New York law. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

The attack, captured on a security surveillance camera outside of the temple, occurred at 4:14 a.m. on April 8, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts said in a statement. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024

Very large sharks — up to an estimated 23 feet — have been caught on submersible cameras at great depths. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024

Because Judge Lance Ito allowed cameras in the courtroom, it was covered live nationally on CNN and Court TV, as well as locally on L.A.’s broadcast stations. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024

The camera zooms in to capture that visual, which clearly evokes a pornographic trope. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024

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