drama

[drah-muh, dram-uh]

noun

1. a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue or pantomime a story involving conflict or contrast of character, especially one intended to be acted on the stage; a play.

2. the branch of literature having such compositions as its subject; dramatic art or representation.

3. the art dealing with the writing and production of plays.

4. any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results.

   the drama of a murder trial.

5. the quality of being dramatic.

drama

/ ˈdrɑːmə /

noun

1. a work to be performed by actors on stage, radio, or television; play

2. the genre of literature represented by works intended for the stage

3. the art of the writing and production of plays

4. a situation or sequence of events that is highly emotional, tragic, or turbulent

Other Word Forms

• minidrama noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of drama¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Late Latin, from Greek drâma “action (of a play),” from drá(ein), drâ(n) “to act, do” + -ma, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of drama¹

C17: from Late Latin: a play, from Greek: something performed, from drān to do

Example Sentences

Dark as that sounds, Ingelsby, who previously brought us “Mare of Easttown,’ didn’t intend for that tone to color his new drama.

From Salon

Anna Maxwell Martin won the actress award for true crime drama Until I Kill You - which was filmed in Wales.

From BBC

This event has been transmuted into “The Gold,” an involving British drama premiering here Sunday on PBS.

From Los Angeles Times

Meghan, a former actress on TV drama Suits, recently starred in a Netflix series in which she described her 'high-low' style approach to mixing designer and accessible fashion.

From BBC

Over the decades, the refinery and the city have coexisted, mostly without drama.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comedy 
• farce 
• melodrama 
• play 
• production 
• scene 
• show 
• theater 
• tragedy