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• on-camera
  on-camera

  adjective

  within the range of a motion-picture or television camera; while being filmed or televised.
• on camera
  on camera

  Being filmed, as in When the talk-show host began, I wasn't sure if we were on camera. This usage dates from the first half of the 1900s, soon after the birth of motion-picture and television filming. The same is true of the antonym off camera, meaning “outside the view of a movie or TV camera,” as in Go ahead and scratch—we're off camera now.

on-camera

American  

[on-kam-er-uh, -kam-ruh, awn-] / ˈɒnˈkæm ər ə, -ˈkæm rə, ˈɔn- /

adjective

1. within the range of a motion-picture or television camera; while being filmed or televised.

   on-camera blunders; The assassination happened on-camera.

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on camera Idioms  

1. Being filmed, as in When the talk-show host began, I wasn't sure if we were on camera. This usage dates from the first half of the 1900s, soon after the birth of motion-picture and television filming. The same is true of the antonym off camera, meaning “outside the view of a movie or TV camera,” as in Go ahead and scratch—we're off camera now.

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Etymology

Origin of on-camera

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on-camera on camera

“Inside CECOT” was scheduled to run Dec. 22 but was pulled the day before air by Weiss, who believed it needed more reporting, including a direct on-camera response from the administration, which did not participate.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026

I offered to consult, but they soon convinced me to be the on-camera therapist working with recruited couples.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026

Watch as McDonald’s chief takes his first on-camera bite since going viral.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026

Supporters of Kelly argued she was just speaking from personal experience in television news, where producers and anchors often discuss on-camera presence.

From Salon ● Feb. 7, 2026

“Bad move on my part. By contract, Richard has final say on all on-camera promotions. I’m pretty certain I’ll be looking for another job as soon as Emily blows herself out.”

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

Controversies such as a 2002 autopsy performed in London -- on camera and before an audience —- further fuelled his notoriety.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

In 2002 he caused further controversy by performing the first public autopsy in London for 170 years on camera.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

But anytime you make a documentary, you’re asking people to be especially vulnerable on camera, and they are often telling you about the worst moments of their life but from a somewhat safe distance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

Wes Streeting has said there was "no ill intent" behind comments he made about the early prisoner release scheme, which were caught on camera.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

Our interaction at the reception was caught on camera, and in the coming days it would be reproduced in media reports all over the world: “A Breach in Protocol!”

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama