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 The Last Chapter reflects the strength of our local stories and the growing appetite for Indonesian cinema beyond our borders. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2026 Reaction shots ensue, as Depp curdles his face into a series of the most exaggerated expressions since the death of silent cinema, every one of them betraying his character’s frigidness. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2026 Beyond the festival’s programming, Tarek sees encouraging developments in Arab cinema, particularly among filmmakers increasingly confident in telling personal stories without feeling obliged to represent an entire country or society. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026 That’s the power of cinema, That’s what this film really did. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cinema
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cinema
  1. film
  2. theater
  3. filmmaking
  4. playhouse
  5. movie
Noun
  • Leibovit said Pal used the replacement concept, which is a stop-motion technique seen today in the works of Tim Burton, Guillermo del Toro and the films of LAIKA Studios.
    — Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026
  • There are also live actors and plenty of tunes from the film that help bring the story to life.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of film
Noun
  • Today the Ocala Drive-In is one of four remaining open-air theaters in Florida, along with the Silver Moon in Lakeland, Joy-Lan in Dade City, and the Ruskin Family Drive-In.
    — David Morton, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • And the micro thing that only theater people would know is our lighting design, which was considered so weird at the time.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of theater
Noun
  • Some cinematographers are making peace with the notion that traditional filmmaking will become a specialized niche product, akin to artisanal pottery or handmade furniture, rather than the norm for everyday entertainment.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Throughout the 1960s and early ’70s, Brass mainly focused on avant-garde filmmaking, with his credits including two experimental shorts commissioned by Umberto Eco entitled Tempo Libero and Tempo Lavorativo.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of filmmaking
Noun
  • London had been ravaged by plague since the summer of 1592, with high mortality rates in the city and suburbs meaning the playhouses were closed for business for twenty of the following twenty-two months.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Russell adds a 30 Rock–esque backstage frame in which an assistant stage manager (Twiggy, looking divine) is thrust into the spotlight when the star of her regional playhouse’s production of The Boy Friend is nowhere to be found.
    — Juan A. Ramírez, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of playhouse
Noun
  • Back then, in the back of the magazine, THR ran lists of movies going into production, including location shoots.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the movie takes place two years after the previous installment as Godzilla regenerates and resurfaces to combat a new monster that’s tormenting postwar Japan.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 8 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cinema

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cinema

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