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

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

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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

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

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

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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