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
2
: the treasury department of the papal curia
see also:
Examples of camera in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In person, Magyar gives every indication of being magnanimous and down-to-earth, smiling easily, thanking everyone profusely, and treating his son with what looks like authentic affection, even when the cameras aren’t rolling.
—
Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
The motorist filed a complaint, and the ensuing internal investigation turned up other cases of gang officers improperly switching off their cameras or otherwise failing to document stops.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
On cameras, the defense argued that extensive pretrial publicity could prejudice jurors, citing survey data showing 99 percent of respondents in Utah County were aware of the case and 64 percent believed Robinson was guilty based on media coverage.
—Adam Sabes , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
The stream ended abruptly, but not before cameras captured Peters’ eyes seemingly rolling back in his head and his body swaying.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for camera
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Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
The motorist filed a complaint, and the ensuing internal investigation turned up other cases of gang officers improperly switching off their cameras or otherwise failing to document stops.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
On cameras, the defense argued that extensive pretrial publicity could prejudice jurors, citing survey data showing 99 percent of respondents in Utah County were aware of the case and 64 percent believed Robinson was guilty based on media coverage.
—Adam Sabes , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
The stream ended abruptly, but not before cameras captured Peters’ eyes seemingly rolling back in his head and his body swaying.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for camera
Cite this Entry
“Camera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camera. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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