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screenplay
noun
screen·play
ˈskrēn-ˌplā
: 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
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
: the written form of a story prepared for film production
More from Merriam-Webster on screenplay
Nglish: Translation of screenplay for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of screenplay for Arabic Speakers
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