1
a
: motion picture
—usually used attributively
b
: a motion-picture theater
2
a
: movies
especially
: the film industry
b
: the art or technique of making motion pictures
Synonyms
Examples of cinema in a Sentence
a student of French cinema
We drove by the cinema to see what was playing.
Recent Examples on the Web
While the screenings proved particularly successful in the suburban satellite cinemas where the Cairo Film Festival has sought to spread out, the festival president even heard echoes from further afield.
—
Ben Croll, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024
After three years on the market, The Phoenix will see McGuinness and Murphy begin the repair and refurbishment of the cinema in 2025.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Progressive American cinema is not dead, but over the next four years, U.S. filmmakers may find in Europe a more welcoming environment.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
Documenting the Journey: The Power of Film Staunch Moderates has delved into cinema with their documentary Mission Peace and music.
—Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cinema 
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Ben Croll, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024
After three years on the market, The Phoenix will see McGuinness and Murphy begin the repair and refurbishment of the cinema in 2025.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
Progressive American cinema is not dead, but over the next four years, U.S. filmmakers may find in Europe a more welcoming environment.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
Documenting the Journey: The Power of Film Staunch Moderates has delved into cinema with their documentary Mission Peace and music.
—Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cinema
Dictionary Entries Near cinema
Cite this Entry
“Cinema.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cinema. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cinema
noun
cin·e·ma
ˈsin-ə-mə 
1
a
: movie sense 2a
a cinema director
b
: a theater for showing movies
went to the cinema
2
a
: the business of making movies
worked in cinema
b
: the art or technique of making movies
a student of French cinema
cinematic
adjective
ˌsin-ə-ˈmat-ik
cinematically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
Etymology
derived from French cinématographe "motion picture," from Greek kinēma "movement" and graphe "picture," from kinein "to move" — related to kinetic
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