screenplay

noun

screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā How to pronounce screenplay (audio)
: the script and often shooting directions of a story prepared for movie production

Examples of screenplay in a Sentence

an award for best screenplay each actor will be given a copy of the screenplay to study
Recent Examples on the Web Lawrence Lamont directed the film, while Syreeta Singleton wrote its screenplay; both previously collaborated with Rae, 39, on her Max comedy series Rap Sh!t. Tommy McArdle, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Hannah also is a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominee and WGA Award winner for her screenplay The Post, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. Denise Petski, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024 The screenplay is written by Lee Warburton, whose credits include Shameless, This is Going to Hurt, and Scott & Bailey. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024 McQueen enlisted author Joshua Levine as a historical advisor and did extensive research with the help of the Imperial War Museum and the British Library to produce an original screenplay. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for screenplay 

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

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of screenplay was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near screenplay

Cite this Entry

“Screenplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screenplay. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

screenplay

noun
screen·​play ˈskrēn-ˌplā How to pronounce screenplay (audio)
: the written form of a story prepared for film production

More from Merriam-Webster on screenplay

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