scene

noun

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\ ˈsēn

Definition of scene

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

2a : 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

5a : sphere of activity the drug scene

b : situation a bad scene

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 More Example Sentences Learn More About scene

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Examples of scene in a Sentence

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 The two passengers who had left the car were interviewed by police and told officers the car already had crashed into another car on Wolcott Street and evaded that scene even before the police chase began, Lund said. — Zach Murdock, courant.com, 21 Sep. 2021 Union Theater Writer James Meade includes plot spoilers in this account of filming the movie’s final scene. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2021 One scene in the middle of the episode drove the point home. — Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2021 Crime scene investigators used a chemical called Bluestar, designed to reveal bloodstains that have been washed out or wiped off. — Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Sep. 2021 In the sketch, Barrymore also hilariously performed her version of Meg Ryan's famous fake orgasm scene from When Harry Met Sally alongside her show's crew members. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 21 Sep. 2021 On the national scene, Pilla would guide the U.S. bishops’ conference from 1995 to 1998, winning praise for a leadership style that listening over arm twisting. — David Briggs, cleveland, 21 Sep. 2021 Detectives are expected to be at the crash scene for the next several hours. — Caroleina Hassett, The Arizona Republic, 21 Sep. 2021 Two females were seen leaving the scene in a late model Infiniti SUV. — Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, 21 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scene.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.