nitrate film

American  

[nahy-treyt film, -trit] / ˈnaɪ treɪt ˌfɪlm, -trɪt /

noun

1. a formerly produced film stock using a base of nitrocellulose: extremely flammable and tending to erode at a relatively early age.

2. a motion picture made with or printed on this film.

   Preserving these nitrate films is difficult and hazardous, and projecting them requires a special license.

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Etymology

Origin of nitrate film

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

"He was one of the first filmmakers," said George Willeman, leader of the congressional library's nitrate film vault, who said the recovered reel was likely a third-generation copy of the Melies original.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

“Ninety percent of all silent films have been lost because they were made on nitrate film, which is flammable and explodable,” Cleveland told The Associated Press.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 6, 2022

The Miss America Competition, which celebrated its 100th birthday this year, has now outlived key parties and manned missions to the moon, the VHS tape and the subway token, the Soviet Union and nitrate film.

From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2022

A later inquiry would conclude it was caused when the metal box containing the nitrate film had been placed on top of a battery in the projection room.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2019

Three more followed, leaving a small tangle of film reel, nitrate film reel, just before Boaz and Ashmodai.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny