film

1 of 2

noun

ˈfilm 

 Southern also  ˈfi(ə)m

plural films

often attributive

1

a

: a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle

b

: an abnormal growth on or in the eye

2

: a thin covering or coating

a film of ice

3

a

: an exceedingly thin layer : lamina

b(1)

: a thin flexible transparent sheet (as of plastic) used especially as a wrapping

(2)

: a thin sheet of cellulose acetate or nitrocellulose coated with a radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs

4

a

: movie, motion picture

an award-winning film

film critics

The film will start in ten minutes.

b

: the process, art, or business of making movies

a career in film

She studied film in college.

filmless

ˈfilm-ləs 

adjective

film

2 of 2

verb

filmed; filming; films

transitive verb

1

: to cover with or as if with a film

2

: to make a motion picture of or from

film a scene

intransitive verb

1

: to become covered or obscured with or as if with a film

2

: to make a motion picture

filmable

ˈfil-mə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun

• flick
• flicker
• motion picture
• movie
• moving picture
• picture

Examples of film in a Sentence

Noun

Have you bought any film for the camera?

We haven't had the film developed yet.

He's interested in making films about war.

We'll start the film at 10:00.

He studied film in college.

the protective film over a shark's eye

A film of ice covered the sidewalk.

Verb

Television news crew members came to film the interview.

She filmed the children playing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Guardian newspaper reports that the former Doctor Who star – who appeared in the 2005 film adaptation of Rowling’s book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – gave his opinion of Rowling in answer to questions posed by a group of neurodivergent young adults in ITV’s show The Assembly. —Caroline Frost, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025

Minaret Station | New Zealand’s South Island Those who watched the Lord of the Rings film series will recall the raw, ever-changing beauty of New Zealand’s South Island. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 27 Apr. 2025

Verb

Romance rumors between Siwa and Hughes sparked when they were filmed getting physically close on the show, cuddling and holding hands. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025

For the uninitiated, Evans and Uwais met in 2007 when the director was filming a documentary about silat, a Southeast Asian martial art form, in the future actor's training hall. —Mike Miller, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English filme, from Old English filmen; akin to Greek pelma sole of the foot, Old English fell skin — more at fell

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing film

• cling film
• film badge
• film noir
• on film
• portmanteau film
• roll film
• thin film

Rhymes for film

• biofilm
• microfilm

Kids Definition

film

1 of 2 noun

ˈfilm 

1

: a thin skin or membrane

2

: a thin coating or layer

3

: a roll or strip of thin flexible transparent material coated with a chemical substance sensitive to light and used in taking pictures

4

: motion picture

film

2 of 2 verb

1

: to cover or become covered with film

2

: to make a motion picture of or from

Medical Definition

film

noun

ˈfilm 

1

a

: a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle

b

: an abnormal growth on or in the eye

2

a

: an exceedingly thin layer : lamina

b

: a thin flexible transparent sheet of cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate coated with a radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs or making radiographs