camera

¹ American  

[kam-er-uh, kam-ruh] / ˈkæm ər ə, ˈkæm rə /

noun

1. a device for capturing a photographic image or recording a video, using film or digital memory.

2. (in a television transmitting apparatus) the device in which the picture to be televised is formed before it is changed into electric impulses.

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adjective

1. Printing. camera-ready.

idioms

1. on camera, being filmed or televised by a live camera.

   Be sure to look alert when you are on camera.

2. off camera,

   1. out of the range of a video camera, as a television or motion picture camera.

      The stunt woman was waiting just off camera for her cue to enter the scene.

   2. (of an actor) in one’s private rather than professional life.

      The two co-stars are best friends off camera.

camera ² American  

[kam-er-uh] / ˈkæm ər ə /

noun

plural

camerae

1. a judge's private office.

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idioms

1. in camera,

   1. Law. in the privacy of a judge's chambers.

   2. privately.

camera British  

/ ˈkæmrə, ˈkæmərə /

noun

1. an optical device consisting of a lens system set in a light-proof construction inside which a light-sensitive film or plate can be positioned See also cine camera digital camera

2. television the equipment used to convert the optical image of a scene into the corresponding electrical signals

3. See camera obscura

4. a judge's private room

5. 1. law relating to a hearing from which members of the public are excluded

   2. in private

6. not within an area being filmed

7. (esp of an actor) being filmed

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Etymology

Origin of camera¹

First recorded in 1730–40; shortening of camera obscura ( def. ); 1840-45 camera ¹ for def. 1; utimately from Latin camera “vaulted room, vault”; see camera ² ( def. )

Origin of camera¹

First recorded in 1630–40; for earlier sense “vaulted room,” from Latin, from Greek kamára “vault, vaulted room”; see chamber ( def. )

Example Sentences

Surveillance cameras recorded Neves Valente’s rental car 14 times around Providence over the next two weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal

An early riser, Witkoff begins his day as it ends, pacing with his cellphone on a video call, its camera jerking haphazardly around the interior of his waterfront Miami mansion or private jet.

From The Wall Street Journal

There were no cameras in the auditorium, or in the hallways leading to it, and two cameras outside didn’t capture all the exits, the affidavits said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I can’t even believe it,” a visibly perturbed Putin said on camera.

From The Wall Street Journal

"These new molecules have provided, for the first time, the ability to see single cells independently activated, almost as if you're using a very special, sensitive movie camera to record brain activity while it's happening."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• camcorder