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

Fans watch the performance through their cameras, checking their framing while the musician performs, sometimes as close as only a few feet away. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

This prompts Kyle, who has four dorters like Teresa, to share that Portia wrote her college essays about having no memories of life before the cameras, leaving her with guilt as a mother. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Giudice struck a few poses for the camera before blowing a kiss to wrap the clip. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026

It is filled with really talented people, both in front of and behind the camera. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 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