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 Hungary's history of movie-making Hungary has been involved with cinema since its earliest days. — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 His work was defined by a rebellious energy that echoed throughout his painting, photography, cinema, music and television. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 Now destined to be a loss, the film is on the verge of becoming one of the biggest flops in cinema history. — Lou Gomis, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026 The Pointe des Arts complex, which also includes a cinema, a hotel, and other amenities, cost over $500 million to finish. — News Desk, Artforum, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cinema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cinema
  1. film
  2. theater
  3. filmmaking
  4. playhouse
  5. movie
Noun
  • Leica still makes film cameras, including the MP and M-A, which have no digital parts.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Mirren was first introduced to Highsmith through her husband Taylor Hackford, becoming a fan of her books as well as their many film adaptations.
    — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of film
Noun
  • In 2015, The Washington Post profiled teaching associates at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, including a theater actor who helped medical students learn pelvic examinations.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • North American movie theaters were flooded with new films this weekend, including a video game reboot, a big budget survival thriller and a Jane Austen adaptation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of theater
Noun
  • Mustapha rejects the idea that documentary filmmaking can ever be entirely observational, arguing that a camera inevitably changes what happens in front of it.
    — Essie Assibu, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
  • No one gave them the money to do something like this through traditional filmmaking because they weren’t established in the film industry, of course.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of filmmaking
Noun
  • The property also featured a playhouse with a ping-pong table and bar.
    — Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The play is directed by the playhouse’s new co-artistic director Sasha Brätt.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of playhouse
Noun
  • The biggest names in movies, music, fashion and beyond pulled out their sartorial best for the annual fundraiser that celebrates cinematic achievement and raises money for the museum.
    — Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2026
  • None offered particularly impressive image quality in our standard tests using movies on disc, but most were within what most people will consider an acceptable range.
    — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cinema

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cinema

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