scene

noun

1
: one of the subdivisions of a play: such as
a
: a division of an act presenting continuous action in one place
b
: a single situation or unit of dialogue in a play
the love scene
c
: a movie or television episode or sequence
2
a
: a stage setting
b
: a real or imaginary prospect suggesting a stage setting
a sylvan scene
3
: the place of an occurrence or action : locale
scene of the crime
4
: an exhibition of anger or indecorous behavior
He has stolen her salad, but she's too well-mannered to make a scene [=act in a disruptive way].Vincent Canby
5
a
: sphere of activity
the drug scene
b
: situation
a bad scene
Phrases
behind the scenes
1
: out of public view
also : in secret
2
: in a position to see the hidden workings
taken behind the scenes and told just how in fact the actual government … has operatedWilliam Clark

Examples of scene in a Sentence

The play's opening scene takes place in the courtyard. The actor was nervous about his big scene. Police are now at the scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The scene feels uncannily real, and that’s the point. Jamie Lang, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025 The appearance comes as Harris reemerges on the political scene, fueling speculation about her next move. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 Elsewhere in the fine-dining scene, the Michelin one-star Strelec is set in a gorgeous room atop Ljubljana Castle with sgraffiti based on Slovenian folk songs that was created by prestigious artists in the 1950s. Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 Also joining the Miami culinary scene last fall is Cotoletta, an Italian bistro from chef Giulio Rossi in Coconut Grove. Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scene

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, stage, from Latin scena, scaena stage, scene, probably from Etruscan, from Greek skēnē shelter, tent, building forming the background for a dramatic performance, stage; perhaps akin to Greek skia shadow — more at shine

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scene was circa 1520

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Cite this Entry

“Scene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scene. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

scene

noun
1
a
: a division of an act during which there is no change of scene or break in time
b
: a single situation or conversation in a play
the love scene
c
: a small part of a motion picture or a television program
2
a
: a stage setting
change scenes
b
: a view or sight that looks like a picture
a winter scene
3
: the place of an event or action : locale
the scene of the crime
4
: a display of anger or misconduct
made a scene when accused of the crime
5
a
: area of activity
the music scene
b
: situation sense 3
the scene got serious when the police arrived

Medical Definition

scene

More from Merriam-Webster on scene

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