diorama

noun

di·​ora·​ma ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mə  -ˈrä- 

1

: a scenic representation in which a partly translucent painting is seen from a distance through an opening

2

a

: a scenic representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike details are displayed usually in miniature so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted background

b

: a life-size exhibit (as of a wildlife specimen or scene) with realistic natural surroundings and a painted background

dioramic

ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mik 

-ˈrä-

adjective

Examples of diorama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Soon, the famous dinosaur exhibits, children's discovery center, dioramas and more will be closing. — Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Instead of being positioned before crisp backgrounds like static dioramas, they’re backed by blurry freeze frames that yearn to be in motion. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Originally, the main attraction was the scenery of the park — but over the years, Disneyland has added additional scenes, including a Grand Canyon diorama and massive animatronic dinosaurs. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

But like many other Venezuelans, I am riveted by the pictures of endless rubble, of buildings whose facades have collapsed, displaying the rooms inside like dioramas of life before disaster. — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from dia- + -orama (as in panorama, from English)

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for diorama

• gamma
• grama
• gramma
• panorama
• trichogramma

Kids Definition

diorama

noun

di·​o·​rama

ˌdī-ə-ˈram-ə, 

-ˈräm-

: a scenic representation in which lifelike sculptured figures and surrounding details are realistically set against a painted background