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?

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cinema British  

/ ˈsɪnɪmə, ˌsɪnɪˈmætɪk /

noun

1. 1. a place designed for the exhibition of films

   2. ( as modifier )

      a cinema seat

2. 1. the art or business of making films

   2. films collectively

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Other Word Forms

• cinematic adjective
• cinematically adverb

Etymology

Origin of cinema

First recorded in 1895–1900; short for cinematograph

Example Sentences

US fans can watch it at 20:00 EST on 31 December, and for a big-screen, communal experience, they can see it in 500 cinemas across the US and Canada.

From BBC

The fledgling democracy had a thriving press and cinema scene, and promising economic potential as the world's leading rice exporter.

From Barron's

Its holiday arrival was eagerly anticipated by cinema owners still working to lure people back after the pandemic.

From The Wall Street Journal

Empire's Ben Travis was a fan, giving it four out of a possible five stars, describing it as "truly epic cinema."

From BBC

Speaking to AFP exactly 10 years later, Chow recalled how crowds flocked to community screenings after some mainstream cinemas refused to show the film.

From Barron's

Related Words

• film
• movie house
• movie theater