fourth wall

noun

: an imaginary wall (as at the opening of a modern stage proscenium) that keeps performers from recognizing or directly addressing their audience

Examples of fourth wall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Brown is, of course, the titular character here, a peppy and intelligent young lady who has a real panache for solving crimes and breaking the fourth wall during her many adventures. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 May 2026 But despite his affinity for elaborate world-building and comic-book characterization, Owusu is not immune to breaking the fourth wall. Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 19 May 2026 Throughout, Burnett would break the fourth wall, speaking directly to the audience in exposition-heavy monologues to explain a character’s backstory. Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 Therein began a mass erosion of the fourth wall. Meghan Daum, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fourth wall

Word History

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fourth wall was in 1807

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Cite this Entry

“Fourth wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fourth%20wall. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.

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