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cinema

American  
[sin-uh-muh] / ˈsɪn ə mə /

noun

  1. movies collectively, as an art.

    During the Great Depression, cinema provided psychological comfort, an escape from the harsh realities of daily life.

  2. Chiefly British. Also kinema movie theater.

    Do you know if there is a cinema near the British Museum?


cinema British  
/ ˈsɪnɪmə, ˌsɪnɪˈmætɪk /

noun

    1. a place designed for the exhibition of films

    2. ( as modifier )

      a cinema seat

    1. the art or business of making films

    2. films collectively

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • cinematic adjective
  • cinematically adverb

Etymology

Origin of cinema

First recorded in 1895–1900; short for cinematograph

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Or even just the cinema, go for a nice meal.

From BBC

Speaking to the BBC Access All podcast the day after the film premiered in September, Davidson talked about seeing it in a cinema being a monumental occasion.

From BBC

"That won't reverse long-term trends in cinema attendance, but it may reduce the disruption that filmmakers feared under a Netflix-led model," he says.

From BBC

Much of my knowledge of speed dating came from cinema.

From Los Angeles Times

Sarandos argued that Cameron "knowingly misrepresents our position and commitment to the theatrical release of Warner Bros films", and reiterated his "firm commitment" to a strong showing for the company's output in cinemas.

From BBC