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

Adding fuel to the fire, China also released at least four WWII films this year, including some that depict the Nanjing Massacre and the sinking of a Japanese vessel. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025

As an actor, Carpenter’s credits include Prime Video’s Emergency and the indie drama The Short History of the Long Road — both Sundance titles — as well as the Tall Girl films from Netflix, Disney+’s Clouds and 20th Century Fox’s The Hate U Give. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025

Verb

But also the 2000 Ron Howard film How the Grinch Stole Christmas. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025

The stars of Stranger Things discuss the immense task of filming eight movie-length episodes over the course of one calendar year. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 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