cinema

noun

cin·​e·​ma ˈsi-nə-mə 

 British also  -ˌmä

1

a

: motion picture

—usually used attributively

b

: a motion-picture theater

2

a

: movies

especially : the film industry

b

: the art or technique of making motion pictures

Synonyms

• film
• filmmaking
• movie

Examples of cinema in a Sentence

a student of French cinema

We drove by the cinema to see what was playing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Warner Brothers Pictures Spain will handle theatrical distribution, with a 2026 release planned for cinemas. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025

The Imax theater deal also arrives shortly after Apple brought a lawsuit for using the Apple Cinemas name on the front of a San Fransisco cinema, while having no relation to the tech giant. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025

It’s loaded with amenities, with six decks, eight staterooms, a private cinema, infinity pool and helipad. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025

Glitzy creature comforts include an indoor basketball court emblazoned with Colts logos, a gym, a cinema, a speakeasy, seven fireplaces, a private par-3 golf hole, and not one but two pools, one inside and another outside. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

short for cinematograph

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cinema

• cinema verité
• go to the cinema

Rhymes for cinema

• minima

Kids Definition

cinema

noun

cin·​e·​ma ˈsin-ə-mə 

1

a

: movie sense 2a

a cinema director

b

: a theater for showing movies

went to the cinema

2

a

: the business of making movies

worked in cinema

b

: the art or technique of making movies

a student of French cinema

cinematic

ˌsin-ə-ˈmat-ik

adjective

cinematically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Etymology

derived from French cinématographe "motion picture," from Greek kinēma "movement" and graphe "picture," from kinein "to move" — related to kinetic