diorama

noun

di·​ora·​ma ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mə  -ˈrä- 

1

: a scenic representation in which a partly translucent painting is seen from a distance through an opening

2

a

: a scenic representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike details are displayed usually in miniature so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted background

b

: a life-size exhibit (as of a wildlife specimen or scene) with realistic natural surroundings and a painted background

dioramic

ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mik 

-ˈrä-

adjective

Examples of diorama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The design features a stunning emerald green theme, inspired by the movie, with 100 illuminated towers encircling a diorama of the magical land of Oz at its core. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Science-Fair Tornado While at home, Kate rediscovers her middle-school science-fair project, a diorama of a town complete with an at-home twister. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 19 July 2024

Guo and his wife Cui, both in their 50s, have created more than a hundred dioramas using an array of these magnolia and cicada monkeys. —Qiang Xiaoji, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2015

Some of the edible dioramas are larger than a television set. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from dia- + -orama (as in panorama, from English)

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

diorama

noun

di·​o·​rama

ˌdī-ə-ˈram-ə,

-ˈräm-

: a scenic representation in which lifelike sculptured figures and surrounding details are realistically set against a painted background