camera

noun

cam·​era ˈkam-rə How to pronounce camera (audio)
ˈka-mə-rə
1
a
: a device that consists of a lightproof chamber with an aperture fitted with a lens and a shutter through which the image of an object is projected onto a surface for recording (as on a photosensitive film or an electronic sensor) or for translation into electrical impulses (as for television broadcast)
2
: the treasury department of the papal curia
Phrases
off camera
1
: while not being filmed by a television or movie camera
he's a different person off camera
2
: outside the scope of a television or movie camera
sounds of gunfire taking place off camera
on camera
1
: before a live television camera
go on camera
also : while being filmed by a television or movie camera
looked relaxed on camera
2
: within the scope of a television or movie camera
you can hear a dog but he never appears on camera

Examples of camera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Quintana-Lujan switched to the rear-facing camera and briefly showed the scene of several people lying in the roadway of the Cotton Lane Bridge on Feb. 25, 2023. Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 19 June 2024 Cameras found in Roseville home Roseville police investigators found several Ring-brand cameras that were motion-detected and installed in most of the rooms of the home, including the four bedrooms, the garage, a laundry room and the living room camera. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 19 June 2024 Surveillance Footage Captures Justin Timberlake Driving in Sag Harbor 13 hr 6 min ago Surveillance cameras in Sag Harbor provided by hamptons.com captured footage of Justin Timberlake slowly driving his BMW UT on a deserted street shortly before his arrest for DWI early Tuesday morning. Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024 Other automakers have issued recalls related to rearview and backup cameras over the past several months. Hannah Ziegler, Washington Post, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for camera 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'camera.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, room — more at chamber

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of camera was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near camera

Cite this Entry

“Camera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camera. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

camera

noun
cam·​era ˈkam-(ə-)rə How to pronounce camera (audio)
1
: a judge's private office
hearings held in camera
2
: a lightproof box fitted with a lens through which the image of an object is projected onto a surface that is sensitive to light for recording (as on film) or for converting into electrical signals (as for a live television broadcast)
Etymology

from Latin camera "room, chamber"; sense 2 from the scientific Latin phrase camera obscura, literally, "dark chamber" — related to chamber

More from Merriam-Webster on camera

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!