1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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

Relevance
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 With his distinctive perspective and unwavering commitment to filmmaking, de Heer has spent decades opening up new possibilities in cinema. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026 Downstairs, there’s an indoor pool, sauna, cinema, billiard room, and wine cellar. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026 The hotel underwent a $75 million renovation in 2015, which added a cinema, cigar room, kids’ playroom, billiard room, and wine cellars to the already-luxurious 82-room property. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026 The museum also has two theaters that will screen documentaries and shorts, including animation and experimental cinema, and a research library open to the public. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 22 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
  • De Heer has spent more than 40 years in Tasmania, Australia, directing, writing and producing films across a broad range of genres and subjects.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The same logic has already appeared in Ellen’s workshop for women in film, where authority gathers under the name of confession.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of film
Noun
  • Heading into the weekend, Wilson’s film was already looking strong, having netted more than $60,000 in pre-sales to become the highest-grossing opening for a documentary in the theater’s history.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 2026
  • After operating as a church, it was later used as a theater and an antique market before being converted into a hotel, according to the release.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of theater
Noun
  • But this is nonetheless a fascinatingly dark and uncompromising film that reaffirms Nelson’s standing as a vital force in American independent filmmaking for more than three decades.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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
  • But this element does pop up in your movies, the idea that New York exists in nature.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Then, further research changed that view, replacing it with the active, bird-like animal shown in the movie Jurassic Park.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of movie

Browse Nearby Words

cinctures
cinema
cinemas
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cinema.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cinema. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on cinema

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cinema

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tactile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All