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 sense 1, motion picture

an award-winning film

film critics

The film will start in ten minutes.

b

: the process, art, or business of making movies : cinema sense 3, the 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 video recording 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 video or movie

spent the afternoon filming in the park

They begin filming next week.

filmable

ˈfil-mə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of film

Noun

• movie
• documentary

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 film reviewing account has lent itself to Charli’s overt styling of herself as an arbiter of taste and an unabashed fan of pop culture. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Williams particularly loves them for applications where durability matters, such as bridal makeup or television and film. — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026

Verb

Monetized or not, Pfister is continuing to film in public and post videos, at least until his sentencing hearing, scheduled for August 3. — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

The replica Viking ship used in Christopher Nolan‘s blockbuster The Odyssey has become the subject of a dispute between its Swedish owners and Universal Pictures over who should pay for repairs after filming. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026

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