cinematography

1 of 2

noun

cin·​e·​ma·​tog·​ra·​phy ˌsi-nə-mə-ˈtä-grə-fē 

: the art or science of photography in a visual medium (as for movies, television, or video games)

black-and-white cinematography

But most of the cinematography is pedestrian. Many scenes are ridiculously overlit—no doubt because Technicolor was still a glorious new gimmick in 1939.

—Philip Martin

… this film, directed by Cameron Crowe, has better acting, more depth, and also boasts gorgeous cinematography.

—Nancy Gordon

cinematographic

ˌsi-nə-ˌma-tə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

cinematographically

ˌsi-nə-ˌma-tə-ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

cinematographic

2 of 2

adjective

cin·​e·​mat·​o·​graph·​ic ¦si-nə-ˌma-tə-¦gra-fik 

variants or less commonly cinematographical

¦si-nə-ˌma-tə-¦gra-fi-kəl

1

a

: peculiar to, used in, or connected with cinematography

b

: skilled in cinematography

2

: filmed for or reproduced by means of motion-picture projection

3

a

: conveyed or evoked by motion pictures

b

: having qualities in common with cinematography

specifically : using devices suggestive of motion-picture technique

cinematographically

¦si-nə-ˌma-tə-¦gra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of cinematography in a Sentence

Noun

The film's cinematography is breathtaking.

Who did the cinematography for this film?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Creator Dan Erickson’s popular show has stacked up 51 awards for its stellar performances, directing, and cinematography. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Produced by Maxi Haslberger and Balthasar Busmann, September Afternoon features cinematography by Thomas Oswald. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

With production elements that are top of the line, including stunning cinematography from Brett Pawlak, this is indeed a Brand New Day in the cinematic incarnation of Spider-Man. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 July 2026

Kozue spends much of her time simply looking around, and there is pleasure to be had in the film’s soothing color palette and soft cinematography. — Elena Lazic, Variety, 25 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

cinematography + -ic, -ical

First Known Use

Noun

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cinematography

• arteriography
• autobiography
• biogeography
• cholangiography
• historiography
• photolithography
• photomicrography
• ultrasonography
• ventriculography
• angiocardiography
• electrocardiography
• arthrography

Kids Definition

cinematography

noun

cin·​e·​ma·​tog·​ra·​phy ˌsin-ə-mə-ˈtäg-rə-fē 

: the art or science of motion-picture photography

cinematographer

-fər

noun

cinematographic

-ˌmat-ə-ˈgraf-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

cinematography

noun

cin·​e·​ma·​tog·​ra·​phy ˌsin-ə-mə-ˈtäg-rə-fē 

plural cinematographies

: the art or science of motion-picture photography

X-ray fluoroscopic cinematography

cinematographic

-ˌmat-ə-ˈgraf-ik 

adjective

cinematographically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb