1
a
literature
: a composition (see composition sense 5a) in verse or prose intended to portray life or character or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions through action and dialogue and typically designed for theatrical performance : play compare closet drama
b
: a movie or television production with characteristics (such as conflict) of a serious play
broadly
: a play, movie, or television production with a serious tone or subject
a police drama
2
literature
: dramatic art, literature, or affairs
English drama
3
a
: a state, situation, or series of events involving interesting or intense conflict of forces
the drama of the past week
dealing with some family drama
b
: dramatic state, effect, or quality
the drama of the courtroom proceedings
Examples of drama in a Sentence
He is reading an ancient Greek drama.
I prefer drama to comedy.
His interest in drama began at a very young age.
She studied drama in college.
the dramas of teenage life
She watched the drama unfold as they began screaming at each other.
a competition full of drama
the drama of the courtroom proceedings
Recent Examples on the Web
The ex-Protagonist CEO, the focus of a recent The Hollywood Reporter profile ahead of Venice, has had a wild festival run this summer with Laszlo Nemes’ historical drama Orphan, Imran Perretta’s coming-of-age debut Ish, and Helen Walsh’s erotic sophomore feature On the Sea.
—
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
The biographical drama, co-written by Costabile, Vittorio Moroni and Andriano Chiarelli, is based on Luigi Celeste’s memoir Non sarà sempre così about his youth as a far-right militant, living in the shadow of domestic violence with a criminal father.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
With ambitious epics and intimate dramas side by side, Basque cinema has never looked stronger.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
Outside of the drama, this is a major intergenerational collaboration for the Bronx rappers.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drama
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Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2025
The biographical drama, co-written by Costabile, Vittorio Moroni and Andriano Chiarelli, is based on Luigi Celeste’s memoir Non sarà sempre così about his youth as a far-right militant, living in the shadow of domestic violence with a criminal father.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
With ambitious epics and intimate dramas side by side, Basque cinema has never looked stronger.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
Outside of the drama, this is a major intergenerational collaboration for the Bronx rappers.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drama
Cite this Entry
“Drama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drama. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
a
: a written work that tells a story through action and speech and is meant to be acted on a stage : play
b
: a play, movie, or television production with a serious tone or subject
2
: dramatic art, literature, or affairs
3
a
: an exciting event or series of events
the drama of the basketball playoffs
b
: dramatic effect or quality
used colored lighting for drama
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