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

Affleck portrayed the Caped Crusader in multiple films, including 2017's Justice League. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 22 May 2025

The film, which will release in theaters May 23, will feature Tom Cruise behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Stellantis said. —Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 22 May 2025

Verb

In photos obtained by PEOPLE, the actors, who play Aidan Shaw and Carrie Bradshaw, respectively, were seen holding hands and smiling while filming on location in New York City's Queens borough last July. —Charna Flam, People.com, 22 May 2025

If Reacher isn’t filming yet and season 3 ended a little while back, where does that leave Reacher season 4’s potential release date. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 22 May 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