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

see also:

off camera on camera

Examples of camera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The push against Flock cameras comes as Democrats have largely supported regulating AI and data centers this cycle. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2026

Have your camera ready when arriving or departing, as the staff usually perform an entertaining song and dance in traditional costumes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Investigators are still combing through the suspects' cellphones, dashboard cameras and other devices for clues about potential links to Iran. — Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Appearing in front of the camera wasn’t fully natural for her. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

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