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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

The subpoenas, which ordered Black to share NDAs and give an on-camera deposition under oath, were issued after he left the committee meeting in June.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

He had a complex partial seizure while delivering an on-camera speech on the House floor last year, stopping midsentence before continuing to speak in a slow and halting voice for more than 30 seconds.

From Slate ● Sep. 2, 2026

In addition to studying race and gender demographics in the film industry, the report also examined on-camera representations of disability.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 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

“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

Criminals walking the street are less likely to commit crimes if they know their movements will be on camera.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

Mukbangers, content creators who eat grotesque amounts of food on camera, frequently feature fried chicken.

From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026

The new Labour leader has won praise for his fluent, natural style on camera, in contrast to Starmer's somewhat stiff delivery.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

But it was a bunch of the cast and then there was also some pinks in there just to see how everything looks on camera.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

“Why don’t I just pretend I’m on camera, Plutarch?”

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins