scene

noun

ˈsēn 

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 motion-picture 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 operated

—William Clark

Synonyms

• background
• locale
• setting

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

The scene was not nearly as heated as the previous weekend's drama at the Benton farmers market -- a higher-traffic area about a block from the county GOP headquarters. —Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 28 Apr. 2024

The Temple Police Department was also called to the scene. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024

But behind the scenes, the utility has also been facing withering scrutiny. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024

On Thursday, another protest at the university was scheduled, but the scene was much more calm, with university administrators handing out fliers with rules for protesting. —Neelam Bohra, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2024

Police were called to the scene at around 1:30 a.m. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024

But the Blu-Ray version of this scene has a weirdly salmon-colored pall that goes redder a few moments later. —Wes Davis, The Verge, 27 Apr. 2024

Patrick also throws on the shirt after a hot and heavy scene with college-aged Tashi that ends in an explosive argument. —Sage Anderson, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024

There’s the script, and then there’s always another scene happening. —Selome Hailu, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing scene

• a change of scene/scenery
• burst on the scene
• come/appeared on the scene
• crime scene
• cut scene
• enter the picture/scene
• make a scene
• make the scene
• mob scene
• not someone's scene
• on the scene
• scene-stealer
• set the scene

Kids Definition

scene

noun

ˈsēn 

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

see primal scene