diorama

noun

di·​ora·​ma ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mə  -ˈrä- 

1

: a scenic representation in which a partly translucent painting is seen from a distance through an opening

2

a

: a scenic representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike details are displayed usually in miniature so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted background

b

: a life-size exhibit (as of a wildlife specimen or scene) with realistic natural surroundings and a painted background

dioramic

ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mik 

-ˈrä-

adjective

Examples of diorama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Carolinas’ room, the focal point is the museum’s decades-old diorama upgraded with the virtual experience. —Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026

Rockwell says his designs for The Hand & The Eye were inspired in part by the artist Joseph Cornell’s famous boxes, cabinets of curiosities that functioned as intimate dioramas and theaters. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

Chicks Our littlest Peeps like to make dioramas, too. —Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026

There are taxidermy bison specimens in the Field Museum's nature dioramas, as there have been for more than a century. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from dia- + -orama (as in panorama, from English)

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for diorama

• panorama
• trichogramma
• gamma
• grama
• gramma

Kids Definition

diorama

noun

di·​o·​rama

ˌdī-ə-ˈram-ə, 

-ˈräm-

: a scenic representation in which lifelike sculptured figures and surrounding details are realistically set against a painted background