cinematography

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

Examples of cinematography in a Sentence

The film's cinematography is breathtaking.

Who did the cinematography for this film?

Recent Examples on the Web

Complementing this emotional catharsis is Marczak’s breathtaking cinematography. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026

Johanna Gavard and Francy Kachler edited the documentary; cinematography is by Huy Truong, with music by David Benjamin Steinberg. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026

Moonglow channels some of the sultry, smoky atmosphere of those films, with Isaac Banks’ shadowy cinematography turning Manila into a colorful setting for all the double-crossings and back-stabbings, as well as a few heavy glances between the two leads. —Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026

The series has won multiple Emmys over its 20-plus seasons for its cinematography and editing; seasons 11 through 21 and 23 are available on Hulu. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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