1
as in film
the art or business of making a movie felt that the cinema was one of the most challenging and fulfilling forms of artistic expression

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2
as in theater
a building or part of a building where movies are shown got a job cleaning the cinemas at the multiplex

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of cinema Students of cinema — or of fin-de-millénaire Americana, for that matter — will eat it up and wish heartily for seconds. Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025 The festival takes place across cinemas both in and outside of London from next month. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025 Here’s to watching films in cinemas, to watching with friends. Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025 Even North Korean cinema has evolved. Will Ripley, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cinema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cinema
Noun
  • Conceived as a kaleidoscopic mosaic spanning from Kafka’s birth in 19th-century Prague to his death in post–World War I Vienna, Holland’s film captures both the man and the myth, revealing the writer’s creative vision, alienation, and lasting cultural imprint.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Godard’s ode to American movies that required only a girl and a gun begat freak-flag-flying films like Slacker, which begat Linklater’s career, characterized by him following his own muse.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But Scherzinger is operating out of a great tradition with this stuff, and there aren’t a lot of others of her generation filling the void, at least with her profile coming from the pop side and the chops to work it on the theater side.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Yes, winters are cold and foggy, but retirees who don’t want to forgo metropolitan amenities, such as theatres, museums, and festivals, should look to this northern city.
    Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The main culprit is Towne’s way-too-precious filmmaking, but Farrell’s performance also offers little in the way of surprise or inspiration.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Deol also expresses nostalgia for earlier eras of filmmaking.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Now, two years into her tenure at the Théâtre National de Strasbourg, Guiela Nguyen is focused on bringing people who don’t necessarily speak French to the playhouse.
    Laura Cappelle, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Hipp evokes an opulent playhouse, with a bold palette, swathes of rich velvet, and plenty of colorful art.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Meet Nick Castle, Brad Dourif, Derek Mears and more actors who've played some of the most iconic movie villains.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Following Dracula, Laemmle produced Frankenstein, another Universal release and one of the most fundamental movies in modern Gothic horror.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cinema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cinema. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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