newsreel

noun

news·​reel ˈnüz-ˌrēl 

ˈnyüz-

: a short movie dealing with current events

Examples of newsreel in a Sentence

old newsreels from World War II

Recent Examples on the Web

Intertwining past and present, the film fluidly blends color dramatic sequences with black-and-white archival footage, newsreels and amateur home movies. — Alissa Simon, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

The opening credits of the film, featuring newsreel footage of military parades overlaid with glitchy effects and harsh techno music, appear to nod at some equating of the America of today with the authoritarian governments of the past. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026

The final pages offered a physical and philosophical account of the concentration camps that was as disturbing in its implications as the newsreels shown in theatres at the war’s end. — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

In the five-minute work, Pau employs snippets lifted from government newsreels, most notably footage of a swimming contest held at Victoria Harbor in the 1960s showing throngs of Hong Kong citizens launching themselves into the ocean and paddling enthusiastically. — Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for newsreel

• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal
• cornmeal
• flywheel
• genteel

Kids Definition

newsreel

noun

news·​reel -ˌrēl 

: a short motion picture dealing with current events