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

Applications for removal must be certified by the attorney general and are reviewed by the court ex parte and in camera — meaning the target of the deportation proceeding is not a party to the hearing. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 30 July 2026

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

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