film

noun, often attributive \ ˈfilm , Southern also ˈfi(ə)m \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of film

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 : motion picture

—

filmless

play \ˈfilm-ləs\ adjective

See film defined for English-language learners

See film defined for kids

Examples of film in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of film from the Web

Ansah is supremely talented, but his 2017 film was nowhere near as good as his 12 sacks would suggest.

— andy benoit, SI.com, "Draft Needs: Finding the Right Fits for New Defensive Coordinators," 18 Apr. 2018
One of my favorite films of all time is Bride of Frankenstein, directed by that genius James Whale.

— michael e. peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, "What are you watching? Readers recommend 'Loving Vincent,' '1776'," 17 Apr. 2018
Marvel Brie Larson will star as Captain Marvel, the first woman to get her own film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

— eliana dockterman, Time, "Here's a Complete List of All the Upcoming Marvel Movies," 17 Apr. 2018
Beck isn’t the most talented of this group, but his presence will be a vital component both on the field and in the film room.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "UT’s Beck takes father’s advice, ready for new season," 17 Apr. 2018
That blocks Netflix, which doesn’t show its films in French cinemas.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Macron at the Movies," 16 Apr. 2018
Not that anything that happens in this film will be an actual surprise.

— angela watercutter, WIRED, "Rampage: 14 Unanswered Questions About the Rock’s New Movie," 16 Apr. 2018
In a courtroom sure to be standing-room-only, Cohen will encounter the adult-film actress whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

— Bloomberg.com, "Trump Seeks to Delay Own Justice Department in Cohen Probe," 16 Apr. 2018
But younger desi, including many comedians and actors that Kondabolu spoke to for his film, have experienced a very different reality.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "My Epiphany About the Problem With Apu," 14 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'film.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of film

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

film Synonyms

Synonyms

flick, flicker, motion picture, movie, moving picture, picture;

silent, talkie;

Other Pictures (on film) Terms

daguerreotype, emulsion, fill, sepia, still, stop

film

verb

Definition of film

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

play \ˈfil-mə-bəl\ adjective

See film defined for English-language learners

Examples of film in a Sentence

Television news crew members came to film the interview.
She filmed the children playing.

Recent Examples of film from the Web

The sergeant, who spoke calmly, noticed the cellphone filming him.

— ashley luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'This is what happens to our youth': Milwaukee police reviewing video of officer pulling teen out of car," 16 Apr. 2018
The show is one of several being filmed for a forthcoming Netflix special.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Best Things to Do in L.A. This Week," 9 Apr. 2018
Doogie and Hooperman were part of a late ’80s movement toward comedies that were filmed more like movies and not in front of live studio audiences.

— todd vanderwerff, Vox, "Iconic producer Steven Bochco has died at 74. These 5 shows explain how he changed TV.," 2 Apr. 2018
Sony also adds support for gamma curves, allowing you to correct for different lighting situations while filming and ultimately, a different style for every curve.

— stefan etienne, The Verge, "Sony A7 III and A7R III review: mirrorless magic," 30 Mar. 2018
There are videos from Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg, Cameron Kasky, Alex Wind, Samantha Grady and Samantha Fuentes, who filmed her phone call with President Donald Trump from her hospital bed.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "March For Our Lives, 'Greek Freak,' Stormy Daniels: This weekend," 23 Mar. 2018
Black has performed throughout Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the United States; done comedy specials for HBO and filmed feature-length concert films for the Epix channel.

— jessi virtusio, Daily Southtown, "King of rant Lewis Black set to take stage in Joliet," 22 Mar. 2018
In December, still photographer Trygg filmed Ajne skating on 1.8 inches of fresh ice on a lake outside Stockholm.

— julia griffin, Scientific American, "The Magic (and Math) of Skating on Thin Ice without Falling In," 12 Mar. 2018
September 2013: While Dewan is filming Witches of East End, Tatum is on-set with Everly.

— amy mackelden, Marie Claire, "A Complete Timeline of Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's Relationship," 3 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of film

1604

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

FILM Defined for English Language Learners

film

noun

Definition of film for English Language Learners

: a special material that is used for taking photographs
: the process, art, or business of making movies
: a thin layer on or over the surface of something

film

verb

Definition of film for English Language Learners

: to make a movie of (something) : to photograph (an event, scene, etc.) with a movie or video camera
: to make a movie

FILM Defined for Kids

film

noun \ ˈfilm \

Definition of film for Students

1 : a roll of material prepared for taking pictures

2 : movie 1

3 : a thin coating or layer

film

verb

Definition of film for Students

filmed; filming

1 : to make a movie

2 : to photograph on a film

Medical Dictionary

film

noun \ ˈfilm \

medical Definition of film

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