in camera

adverb or adjective

: in private

specifically, law : in a judge's chambers

a review of documents held in camera

Synonyms of in camera

• privately
• in private
• confidentially
• secretly

Examples of in camera in a Sentence

the board of trustees met in camera to decide the fate of the embattled university president

Recent Examples on the Web

Though famous for his love of real-world filmmaking, for shooting on location and doing effects in camera, not in post-production, Nolan likes to point out that his films have won three visual effects Oscars. — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

This pattern is evident not only in camera technology, but in the resurgence of record players and older fashion trends. — Anya Joseph, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

Reading what's on screen, in camera viewfinder The new Siri is able to analyze information on screen. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 June 2026

The owners of a Riverside financial services business that was targeted in a burglary in which $20,000 in camera equipment was taken believe that the suspect may have been familiar with their store. — Zach Boetto, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, in a chamber

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

in camera

adverb or adjective

in cam·​e·​ra

ˌin-ˈkam-rə, -ˈka-mə-

: in private

especially : in a judge's chambers

the judge reviewed the sensitive material in camera

an in camera proceeding

compare open court

Etymology

New Latin, literally, in a chamber