cinematography

noun

cin·​e·​ma·​tog·​ra·​phy ˌsi-nə-mə-ˈtä-grə-fē How to pronounce cinematography (audio)
: the art or science of photography in a visual medium (as for movies, television, or video games)
black-and-white cinematography
But most of the cinematography is pedestrian. Many scenes are ridiculously overlit—no doubt because Technicolor was still a glorious new gimmick in 1939.Philip Martin
… this film, directed by Cameron Crowe, has better acting, more depth, and also boasts gorgeous cinematography.Nancy Gordon
cinematographic adjective
cinematographically adverb

Examples of cinematography in a Sentence

The film's cinematography is breathtaking. Who did the cinematography for this film?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its moody cinematography and jolting edits influenced countless horror pictures, as well as two direct remakes, the newest of which hit theaters on Christmas Day. Jason Bailey, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024 This is classy horror, an upscale period piece with stunning cinematography and a beloved director. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024 Mixed results plague almost every department, with particularly weak cinematography matching a production that seems at once wonderfully fearless and terribly confused. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 Dec. 2024 Matthew Rivera’s striking cinematography and the movie’s special effects wizardry also are major selling points, along with Dawn Olivieri’s sympathetic portrayal of a woman who firmly believes that faith can move mountains. Joe Leydon, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cinematography 

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cinematography was in 1896

Dictionary Entries Near cinematography

Cite this Entry

“Cinematography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinematography. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

cinematography

noun
cin·​e·​ma·​tog·​ra·​phy ˌsin-ə-mə-ˈtäg-rə-fē How to pronounce cinematography (audio)
: the art or science of motion-picture photography
cinematographer
-fər
noun
cinematographic adjective

Medical Definition

cinematography

noun
cin·​e·​ma·​tog·​ra·​phy ˌsin-ə-mə-ˈtäg-rə-fē How to pronounce cinematography (audio)
plural cinematographies
: the art or science of motion-picture photography
X-ray fluoroscopic cinematography
cinematographic adjective
cinematographically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on cinematography

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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