cinema
[ sin-uh-muh ]
/ ˈsɪn ə mə /
noun
Chiefly British. motion picture.
the cinema, motion pictures collectively, as an art.
Chiefly British. a motion-picture theater.
Nearby words
Origin of cinema
First recorded in 1895–1900; short for cinematograph
Related formscin·e·mat·ic [sin-uh-mat-ik] /ˌsɪn əˈmæt ɪk/, adjectivecin·e·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbun·cin·e·mat·ic, adjective
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for cinema
British Dictionary definitions for cinema
cinema
/ (ˈsɪnɪmə) /
noun
mainly British
- a place designed for the exhibition of films
- (as modifier)a cinema seat
the cinema
- the art or business of making films
- films collectively
Derived Formscinematic (ˌsɪnɪˈmætɪk), adjectivecinematically, adverb
Word Origin for cinema
C19 (earlier spelling kinema): shortened from cinematograph
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for cinema
cinema
1899, "a movie hall," from French cinéma, shortened from cinématographe "motion picture projector and camera," coined 1890s by Lumiere brothers, who invented it, from Latinized form of Greek kinemat-, comb. form of kinema "movement," from kinein "to move" (see cite) + graphein "to write" (see -graphy). Meaning "movies collectively, especially as an art form" recorded by 1914. Cinéma vérité is 1963, from French.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper