scene

noun

1
: one of the subdivisions of a play: such as
a
: a division of an act presenting continuous action in one place
b
: a single situation or unit of dialogue in a play
the love scene
c
: a motion-picture or television episode or sequence
2
a
: a stage setting
b
: a real or imaginary prospect suggesting a stage setting
a sylvan scene
3
: the place of an occurrence or action : locale
scene of the crime
4
: an exhibition of anger or indecorous behavior
He has stolen her salad, but she's too well-mannered to make a scene [=act in a disruptive way].Vincent Canby
5
a
: sphere of activity
the drug scene
b
: situation
a bad scene
Phrases
behind the scenes
1
: out of public view
also : in secret
2
: in a position to see the hidden workings
taken behind the scenes and told just how in fact the actual government … has operatedWilliam Clark

Examples of scene in a Sentence

The play's opening scene takes place in the courtyard. The actor was nervous about his big scene. Police are now at the scene.
Recent Examples on the Web In 2011, when the television began showing scenes of protests in Egypt, Ahmed and Jihan hardly paid attention. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Police launched a search of the area and the suspect was arrested near the scene shortly after the attack. Kate Brady, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Felix’s vinyl figure, inspired by the same scene, features the charming college student in a white tank top, blue jeans and his symbolic angel wings. Anna Tingley, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 Photo : Arturo Holmes/Getty Images; Omega Dominic Sessa in an Omega De Ville Tresor Dominic Sessa hit the scene in 2023 during his breakout role in Alexander Payne’s coming-of-age film The Holdovers. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 Phoenix detectives who investigated the scene learned from eyewitnesses that Ayers was shot by an unknown man who left the scene in a vehicle, according to Sgt. The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024 The suspect immediately fled the scene, but police used surveillance cameras and forensic evidence to identify him. Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 The Los Angeles Police Department previously told PEOPLE officers responded the scene after reports of an incident at 1:20 p.m. local time on Jan. 29. Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 The pair volley jokes with impressive agility, and each scene moves at the speed of an intense ping-pong match. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, stage, from Latin scena, scaena stage, scene, probably from Etruscan, from Greek skēnē shelter, tent, building forming the background for a dramatic performance, stage; perhaps akin to Greek skia shadow — more at shine

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scene was circa 1520

Dictionary Entries Near scene

Cite this Entry

“Scene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scene. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scene

noun
1
a
: a division of an act during which there is no change of scene or break in time
b
: a single situation or conversation in a play
the love scene
c
: a small part of a motion picture or a television program
2
a
: a stage setting
change scenes
b
: a view or sight that looks like a picture
a winter scene
3
: the place of an event or action : locale
the scene of the crime
4
: a display of anger or misconduct
made a scene when accused of the crime
5
a
: area of activity
the music scene
b
: situation sense 3
the scene got serious when the police arrived

Medical Definition

scene

More from Merriam-Webster on scene

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