1
a
: motion picture
—usually used attributively
b
: a motion-picture theater
2
a
: movies
especially
: the film industry
b
: the art or technique of making motion pictures
Examples of cinema in a Sentence
a student of French cinema
We drove by the cinema to see what was playing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some filmmakers have decided to expand Iran’s underground cinema.
—
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 May 2025
Morgan tells his story in the new documentary Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade, which premieres in U.K. cinemas and on the Icon Film Channel on May 2.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 May 2025
There’s also a rooftop terrace with an open-air cinema, and a private karaoke room for up to 10 people—for a fun night with the whole fam.
—Celeste Moure, AFAR Media, 2 May 2025
The capital’s highest outdoor swimming pool is one that promises unobstructed views of the cityscape, while others include a 15-seat cinema and a 12-seat dining room with a kitchen and a private chef available to book.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cinema
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Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 May 2025
Morgan tells his story in the new documentary Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade, which premieres in U.K. cinemas and on the Icon Film Channel on May 2.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 May 2025
There’s also a rooftop terrace with an open-air cinema, and a private karaoke room for up to 10 people—for a fun night with the whole fam.
—Celeste Moure, AFAR Media, 2 May 2025
The capital’s highest outdoor swimming pool is one that promises unobstructed views of the cityscape, while others include a 15-seat cinema and a 12-seat dining room with a kitchen and a private chef available to book.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cinema
Cite this Entry
“Cinema.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinema. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cinema
noun
cin·e·ma
ˈsin-ə-mə 
1
a
: movie sense 2a
a cinema director
b
: a theater for showing movies
went to the cinema
2
a
: the business of making movies
worked in cinema
b
: the art or technique of making movies
a student of French cinema
cinematic
adjective
ˌsin-ə-ˈmat-ik
cinematically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
Etymology
derived from French cinématographe "motion picture," from Greek kinēma "movement" and graphe "picture," from kinein "to move" — related to kinetic
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