film

noun, often attributive

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\ ˈfilm

, Southern also ˈfi(ə)m \

plural films

Definition of film

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

3a : 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

4a : 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.

film

verb

filmed; filming; films

Definition of film (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from film Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing film Learn More About film

Other Words from film

Noun

filmless \ ˈfilm-ləs

\ adjective

Verb

filmable \ ˈfil-mə-bəl

\ adjective

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Several releases enjoy chart renaissances, thanks to the power of the touring, film and TV. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 8 Aug. 2022 Georgia broke a record yet again in direct spending from TV and film producers in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, hitting $4.4 billion, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. — Rodney Ho, ajc, 7 Aug. 2022 Sometimes, there’s also an engaging narrative, although acts rarely tap into deep emotions like sorrow or anger, denying magic the reach of music or film. — Matthew Hutson, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2022 For Max Callahan, a student with autism who enrolled at UMass Amherst in 2019, even routine experiences were thrilling, like sitting in the cafeteria at lunch and joining in discussions in his film and literature classes. — Jenna Russell, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2022 Without clear legislative action, the film and television industries will regress into an imbalance of power not seen for decades. — Duncan Crabtree-ireland, Variety, 5 Aug. 2022 Lionsgate added those features to its 17,000-title film and television library, which drove $749 million in total revenue for the last twelve months. — Erik Hayden, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Aug. 2022 The transaction closed in April, ending AT&T’s stewardship of WarnerMedia brands including HBO, CNN and the Warner Bros. film and TV studio. — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2022 There’s a rich history of labor documentary and feature filmmaking in America, as well as excellent labor journalistic and historical writing, and fictionalized labor organizing narratives pop up occasionally in film and TV. — Micah Uetricht, The New Republic, 4 Aug. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The news comes after years of studios and production companies choosing to film in neighboring states such as New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and California, which subsidize productions that take place there. — Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, 7 July 2022 It's also got first-rate songs from the team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and the title song's great dance sequence, arguably the most thrilling thing Presley ever committed to film. — Brian Mansfield, USA TODAY, 2 July 2022 Approaching such a vital story, one that had never before been committed to film, required an intense sensitivity and vulnerability that few directors, Prince-Bythewood and Lemmons among them, are able to pull off. — Hilton Dresden, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 June 2022 While Lord Grantham and crew go off to investigate, and discuss her from afar but at length, Violet stays behind at Downton, where a movie crew has come to film. — Elizabeth Holmes, Town & Country, 29 May 2022 Someone who is in a car stopped by police or is being questioned can also film the encounter. — Terry Tang, BostonGlobe.com, 9 July 2022 Someone who is in a car stopped by police or is being questioned can also film the encounter. — Terry Tang, Anchorage Daily News, 8 July 2022 The French government is normally guarded with media access, the AP said, but the documentary filmmakers were allowed to film the president at work in his bunker under the palace, on a plane and on trips to Kyiv and Moscow. — Amar Nadhir, Washington Post, 5 July 2022 Chatfield started at Yale as an economics major, but has been drawn to film, especially screen writing. — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2022 See More

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.

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Last Updated

10 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Film.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/film. Accessed 14 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for film

film

noun

\ ˈfilm

Kids Definition of film

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a roll of material prepared for taking pictures

2 : movie sense 1

3 : a thin coating or layer

film

verb

filmed; filming

Kids Definition of film (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to make a movie

2 : to photograph on a film

film

noun

\ ˈfilm

Medical Definition of film

1a : a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle

b : an abnormal growth on or in the eye

2a : 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