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

From production design and cinematography to the evolution of genre conventions, her work often reflects a deep appreciation for the early half of last century — and an uncanny ability to trace its fingerprints across the movies being made today. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

The film screened at the Berlinale and won the Golden Biznaga for best Ibero-American film, along with Silver Biznaga honors for best director and cinematography at the Málaga International Film Festival. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

The two additional storylines will be lensed by Claro and Delhomme respectively, while Krichman’s cinematography from the original short forms the third. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026

Swift is up for video and artist of the year as well as best pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects. — CBS News, 18 Aug. 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