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
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.
Texans on the South Plains, including Lubbock and surrounding regions, as well as cities north of Dallas-Fort Worth, might capture the aurora borealis with a good camera in low-light conditions. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 In particular, Kanade’s work has been notably helpful in building robotic cameras and tools that will move inside the body’s tissues and blood vessels. John Werner, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 The layers of contrivance necessary to get the titular mole agent and various cameras into the senior home left me constantly aware of the artificiality of moments that were meant to be real. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024 Wearing polos and button-ups in shades of blue, Reinis' sons Ace, Jules, and Gus smiled for a camera alongside their mom, who wore a lace and floral dress. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for camera 

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 25 Nov. 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

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