celluloid

noun cel·lu·loid \ ˈsel-yə-ˌlȯid \

Definition of celluloid

1 : a tough flammable thermoplastic composed essentially of cellulose nitrate and camphor

2 : a motion-picture film

a work … making its third appearance on celluloid
—John McCarten

—

celluloid

adjective

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Recent Examples of celluloid from the Web

In 2015, a group of filmmakers including Christopher Nolan spearheaded an effort to keep Kodak — the last remaining maker of motion picture film — producing celluloid as a creative option for filmmakers.

— carolyn giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, "From 'Dunkirk' to 'The Post,' Some Key Oscar Contenders Relied on Film," 25 Dec. 2017
Besides billiard balls, celluloid was used to make lady’s combs and other fashion products like buttons, collars and dentures.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Once Upon a Time, Exploding Billiard Balls Were An Everyday Thing," 6 Apr. 2017
Lensed on celluloid in big-sky Montana, the old-fashioned picture will win the hearts of some viewers simply by existing.

— john defore, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Ballad of Lefty Brown': Film Review," 15 Oct. 2017
And how much could conductor Richard Kaufman contribute hemmed in by the pace of celluloid?

— peter dobrin, Philly.com, "Philadelphia Orchestra and Amadeus: still a big tease," 22 Sep. 2017
Besides billiard balls, celluloid was used to make lady’s combs and other fashion products like buttons, collars and dentures.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Once Upon a Time, Exploding Billiard Balls Were An Everyday Thing," 6 Apr. 2017
That’s because the balls were made of celluloid, an early plastic that was, unfortunately, combustible.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Once Upon a Time, Exploding Billiard Balls Were An Everyday Thing," 6 Apr. 2017
Early in their history, the movies were greeted as the great equalizer, a democratic ideal in beautiful celluloid, a mass medium for the masses.

— manohla dargis and a. o. scott, New York Times, "Hollywood, Separate and Unequal," 16 Sep. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'celluloid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of celluloid

from Celluloid, a trademark

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1870

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CELLULOID Defined for English Language Learners

celluloid

noun

Definition of celluloid for English Language Learners

: a tough kind of plastic that was used in the past to make photographic film and other products
: the film used to make movies

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See words that rhyme with celluloid Spanish Central: Translation of celluloid Nglish: Translation of celluloid for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of celluloid for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about celluloid

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celluloid

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celluloid

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celluloid

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celluloid

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