cinema

noun

ˈsi-nə-mə How to pronounce cinema (audio)
Definition of cinemanext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Starting in the 1930s, as talking pictures and then radio and TV supplanted theater as the prime form of mass entertainment, some were converted to cinemas. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026 AccRite, meanwhile, sees cinema not just as a tool for unlocking the future but also for rewriting the past. — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026 But thanks to production designer and native Angeleno Cat Smith, Bret’s day at the cinema feels as true as memory. — Micah Meyers, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 Suddenly, execs were seeing solutions for how to excite the younger audiences who have come to seek entertainment options from content creators rather than cinemas. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cinema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cinema
  1. film
  2. theater
  3. filmmaking
  4. playhouse
  5. movie
Noun
  • To make matters worse, his short film didn’t get into Sundance, but his mom doesn’t seem to be surprised by that.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
  • In many ways, Therese is the picture of earnestness (right down to her appearance in Rooney Mara’s film portrayal—her eyes wider than the rims of Carol’s martini glasses).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of film
Noun
  • Musical-theater departments are famously competitive, and the intensity appealed to her.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The recipients of the 15 million yen prize (approximately $95,000), are Jenny Holzer (painting), Andy Goldsworthy (sculpture), Daniel Libeskind (architecture), Herbert Blomstedt (music), and Cate Blanchett (theater/film).
    — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of theater
Noun
  • Universal acclaim or not, the film launched his groundbreaking directing career and helped usher in a new era of Black independent filmmaking.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
  • While visual effects can enhance martial arts on screen, Wu argues that authentic filmmaking still depends on performance.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 25 July 2026
Definition of filmmaking
Noun
  • Collectors and parents began sending Hoban photos of their own childhood playhouses, helping identify rare models, missing accessories and even how certain sets originally looked.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Morgan cleared the land, planted a vegetable garden, and turned an open shed into a playhouse and guest bedroom for her grandsons.
    — Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of playhouse
Noun
  • There are also two DVDs that contain two hours and 30 minutes of concert footage, along with a new edit of the 1982 movie Joy Division – A Malcolm Whitehead Film.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The film was famously dropped by Amazon MGM Studios, which developed and financed the project then walked away from distributing the movie after announcing a $50 billion partnership and investment that involved OpenAI.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of movie

Browse Nearby Words

cinctures
cinema
cinemas
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Cite this Entry

“Cinema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cinema. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cinema

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cinema

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