scene

noun

ˈsēn 

1

: one of the subdivisions of a play: such as

a

: a division of an act presenting continuous action in one place

b

: a single situation or unit of dialogue in a play

the love scene

c

: a motion-picture or television episode or sequence

2

a

: a stage setting

b

: a real or imaginary prospect suggesting a stage setting

a sylvan scene

3

: the place of an occurrence or action : locale

scene of the crime

4

: an exhibition of anger or indecorous behavior

He has stolen her salad, but she's too well-mannered to make a scene [=act in a disruptive way].

—Vincent Canby

5

a

: sphere of activity

the drug scene

b

: situation

a bad scene

Phrases

behind the scenes

1

: out of public view

also : in secret

2

: in a position to see the hidden workings

taken behind the scenes and told just how in fact the actual government … has operated

—William Clark

Synonyms

• background
• locale
• setting

Example Sentences

The play's opening scene takes place in the courtyard.

The actor was nervous about his big scene.

Police are now at the scene.

Recent Examples on the Web

Officers responding to the call at 5:40 a.m. administered first aid and summoned San Francisco Fire Department medics to the scene. —Sam Whiting, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Jan. 2023

First responders were called to the scene shortly after 11:30 a.m., according to a report by ABC13. —Renee Yan, Chron, 22 Jan. 2023

If only returning to the scene of the crime rendered a different result. —Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 22 Jan. 2023

By the time police responded to the scene, the suspect had already fled. —Megan Sims, cleveland, 22 Jan. 2023

The Hartford Police Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions responded to the scene and are investigating. —Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2023

About a month earlier, homicide detectives rushed to the scene of a stabbing in the 1400 block of Monument Street. —Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 20 Jan. 2023

The prosecutor said video and cellphone evidence tied Forehand to the scene, but declined to elaborate because that was not discussed in further detail at the arraignment. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2023

Deputies who responded to the scene found that the patient was the same man from the earlier incident at Taco Bell. —Wyatte Grantham-philips, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, stage, from Latin scena, scaena stage, scene, probably from Etruscan, from Greek skēnē shelter, tent, building forming the background for a dramatic performance, stage; perhaps akin to Greek skia shadow — more at shine

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scene

• come/appeared on the scene
• a change of scene/scenery
• make a scene
• enter the picture/scene
• mob scene
• crime scene
• make the scene
• on the scene
• set the scene
• scene-stealer
• not someone's scene
• burst on the scene

See More

• come/appeared on the scene
• a change of scene/scenery
• make a scene
• enter the picture/scene
• mob scene
• crime scene
• make the scene
• on the scene
• set the scene
• scene-stealer
• not someone's scene
• burst on the scene

See More

Kids Definition

scene

noun

ˈsēn 

1

a

: a division of an act during which there is no change of scene or break in time

b

: a single situation or conversation in a play

the love scene

c

: a small part of a motion picture or a television program

2

a

: a stage setting

change scenes

b

: a view or sight that looks like a picture

a winter scene

3

: the place of an event or action : locale

the scene of the crime

4

: a display of anger or misconduct

made a scene when accused of the crime

5

a

: area of activity

the music scene

b

: situation sense 3

the scene got serious when the police arrived

Medical Definition

scene

see primal scene