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
Synonyms
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
Our Ancestors Were Messy showcases the vibrance, diversity, and hopefulness of pre-Civil rights era Black communities through exploring their drama!
—
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
The streamer’s originals, including reality dating series Love Is Blind and crime drama Griselda, top the list of original programming for streaming services in 10 out of 12 weeks.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024
Prime Video’s drama series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is expected to release its second season.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
That’s probably just why Chekhov did it, announcing a new kind of protagonist for a new kind of drama.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
There’s been abundant speculation in Hollywood about whether FX might submit Shōgun to the Emmys in the drama series categories, rather than as a limited series.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024
Awards Is Christina Applegate’s ‘Dead to Me’ a comedy, drama or mystery?
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Appearing on the April 23rd episode of The Drew Barrymore Show alongside costar Donnie Wahlberg, the pair debuted a clip from the final season of the drama series, featuring the Reagans cracking jokes at each other's expense during Sunday dinner.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
The annual awards ceremony has, since 1963, recognized outstanding literary voices across multiple genres including fiction, poetry, children’s literature, and drama.
—Armani Syed, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
The streamer’s originals, including reality dating series Love Is Blind and crime drama Griselda, top the list of original programming for streaming services in 10 out of 12 weeks.
—Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 25 Apr. 2024
Prime Video’s drama series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is expected to release its second season.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
That’s probably just why Chekhov did it, announcing a new kind of protagonist for a new kind of drama.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024
There’s been abundant speculation in Hollywood about whether FX might submit Shōgun to the Emmys in the drama series categories, rather than as a limited series.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024
Awards Is Christina Applegate’s ‘Dead to Me’ a comedy, drama or mystery?
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Appearing on the April 23rd episode of The Drew Barrymore Show alongside costar Donnie Wahlberg, the pair debuted a clip from the final season of the drama series, featuring the Reagans cracking jokes at each other's expense during Sunday dinner.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
The annual awards ceremony has, since 1963, recognized outstanding literary voices across multiple genres including fiction, poetry, children’s literature, and drama.
—Armani Syed, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drama.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to drama
Dictionary Entries Near drama
Cite this Entry
“Drama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drama. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share