panorama

[pan-uh-ram-uh, -rah-muh]

noun

1. an unobstructed and wide view of an extensive area in all directions.

   Synonyms: prospect, vista, scene

2. a horizontally extended visual representation providing a wide view of a landscape or other scene, in photography made by joining a series of shots or by using a wide-angle lens, and in film by pivoting the camera horizontally from a fixed place.

3. Older Use

   1. an extended pictorial representation or a cyclorama of a landscape or other scene, often exhibited one part at a time and made to pass continuously before the spectators.

   2. a building for exhibiting such a pictorial representation.

4. a continuously passing or changing scene or an unfolding of events.

   the panorama of Chinese history.

5. a comprehensive survey, as of a subject.

panorama

/ ˌpænəˈræmɪk, ˌpænəˈrɑːmə /

noun

1. an extensive unbroken view, as of a landscape, in all directions

2. a wide or comprehensive survey

   a panorama of the week's events

3. a large extended picture or series of pictures of a scene, unrolled before spectators a part at a time so as to appear continuous

4. another name for cyclorama

Other Word Forms

• panoramic adjective
• panoramically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of panorama¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; pan- + Greek (h)órāma “view, sight,” derivative of horân “to see, look”

Word History and Origins

Origin of panorama¹

C18: from _pan- + Greek horāma view

Example Sentences

“In sanctuary cities, dangerous illegals walk free as police are forced to stand down,” the August recruitment ad warned over a sunset panorama of the Los Angeles skyline.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was now a sweeping panorama of mostly empty, mulch-covered lots.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The views are superb, there are no obstructions and there is an impressive panorama of the city’s skyline from the back of the South Stand, the paper added.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I watched families bury loved ones in a muddy cemetery and was at a loss to convey the enormity of the moment, set against the panorama of geopolitics.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They were met with a stomach-churning vista of death, a torrid panorama of human suffering.

Read more on BBC