1
a
literature
: a composition (see composition sense 5a) in verse or prose intended to portray life or character or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions through action and dialogue and typically designed for theatrical performance : play compare closet drama
b
: a movie or television production with characteristics (such as conflict) of a serious play
broadly
: a play, movie, or television production with a serious tone or subject
a police drama
2
literature
: dramatic art, literature, or affairs
English drama
3
a
: a state, situation, or series of events involving interesting or intense conflict of forces
the drama of the past week
dealing with some family drama
b
: dramatic state, effect, or quality
the drama of the courtroom proceedings
Synonyms of drama
Examples of drama in a Sentence
He is reading an ancient Greek drama.
I prefer drama to comedy.
His interest in drama began at a very young age.
She studied drama in college.
the dramas of teenage life
She watched the drama unfold as they began screaming at each other.
a competition full of drama
the drama of the courtroom proceedings
Recent Examples on the Web
The race between Draper and Khan Valbuena was filled with high-stakes drama and an uphill battle for the sitting judge.
—
Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
In the 50-plus years between the end of WWII and Spielberg's intimate drama painted on the widest of big-screen canvases, no one has captured D-Day with the same harrowing, relentless intensity.
—Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
The latter show features bona fide movie stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Elle Fanning, plus a plot — single mom starts an OnlyFans to make ends meet — that fits right in with the 21st-century trend of comedies that play like dramas.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 2026
The first film released under Universal’s new PVOD strategy was the romantic drama Reminders of Him.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for drama
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Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
In the 50-plus years between the end of WWII and Spielberg's intimate drama painted on the widest of big-screen canvases, no one has captured D-Day with the same harrowing, relentless intensity.
—Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
The latter show features bona fide movie stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Elle Fanning, plus a plot — single mom starts an OnlyFans to make ends meet — that fits right in with the 21st-century trend of comedies that play like dramas.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 2026
The first film released under Universal’s new PVOD strategy was the romantic drama Reminders of Him.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for drama
Cite this Entry
“Drama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drama. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
a
: a written work that tells a story through action and speech and is meant to be acted on a stage : play
b
: a play, movie, or television production with a serious tone or subject
2
: dramatic art, literature, or affairs
3
a
: an exciting event or series of events
the drama of the basketball playoffs
b
: dramatic effect or quality
used colored lighting for drama
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