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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The film is a quick bite, just 86 minutes long, and its screenplay is adapted nearly entirely from Rosenkrantz’s book. Morgan Baila, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025 Fatih Akin directs, from an autobiographical screenplay by octogenarian filmmaker Hark Bohm. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025 The new installment is currently in production, with Kurt Wimmer returning to write the screenplay and Timo Tjahjanto directing. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 The festival will also showcase 10 new drama series including Jessica Pallud’s action-adventure show The Seduction; political thriller The Deal, directed by Jean-Stépane Bron, who co-wrote the screenplay with Alice Wincour, and Cédric Anger’s thriller The Hunt for Gaumont and Apple TV+. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for screenplay

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of screenplay was in 1920

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Cite this Entry

“Screenplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screenplay. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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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