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 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 operatedWilliam Clark

Example Sentences

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 Police are urging drivers to seek alternate routes in that area as traffic may be impacted at Farnsworth Avenue and New York Street due to the number of firefighters at the scene. Megan Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2023 Jesus Perez-Salome was pronounced dead at the scene. Julie Watson, Anchorage Daily News, 2 June 2023 One adult was pronounced dead at the scene and another adult was taken to an area hospital to be treated for unspecified injuries. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 1 June 2023 Police officers and paramedics who arrived at the scene found the child severely injured. S. Dev, CBS News, 1 June 2023 Three of the officers were treated at the scene, and one officer was taken to a local hospital and released the same night. Adam Sabes, Fox News, 31 May 2023 Hunting Island Sate Park, where it's located, was also the filming location for the Boneyard and the beach cleanup scene in Season 1, Episode 3. Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2023 The Drag Story Hour in Bozeman was the second one the neo-Nazis had hit that day—simultaneously a familiar scene that has played out across the country and an escalation of an already dangerous trend. Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, 31 May 2023 Leo fled from the scene in a vehicle but turned himself in to police in Tiverton, RI, about a half-hour later, Miliote said. Leo will appear in a Newport County Court Tuesday morning as a fugitive from justice, Miliote said. Sean Cotter, BostonGlobe.com, 30 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near scene

Cite this Entry

“Scene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scene. Accessed 5 Jun. 2023.

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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