panorama

American  

[pan-uh-ram-uh, -rah-muh] / ˌpæn əˈræm ə, -ˈrɑ mə /

noun

1. an unobstructed and wide view of an extensive area in all directions.

   Synonyms:

   prospect, vista, scene

2. a horizontally extended visual representation providing a wide view of a landscape or other scene, in photography made by joining a series of shots or by using a wide-angle lens, and in film by pivoting the camera horizontally from a fixed place.

3. Older Use

   1. an extended pictorial representation or a cyclorama of a landscape or other scene, often exhibited one part at a time and made to pass continuously before the spectators.

   2. a building for exhibiting such a pictorial representation.

4. a continuously passing or changing scene or an unfolding of events.

   the panorama of Chinese history.

5. a comprehensive survey, as of a subject.

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panorama British  

/ ˌpænəˈræmɪk, ˌpænəˈrɑːmə /

noun

1. an extensive unbroken view, as of a landscape, in all directions

2. a wide or comprehensive survey

   a panorama of the week's events

3. a large extended picture or series of pictures of a scene, unrolled before spectators a part at a time so as to appear continuous

4. another name for cyclorama

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Other Word Forms

• panoramic
  adjective
• panoramically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of panorama

First recorded in 1790–1800; pan- + Greek (h)órāma “view, sight,” derivative of horân “to see, look”

Explanation

A panorama is a wide, unbroken view, or a picture of one. Pay more for your hotel room in Hawaii and you'll likely get a balcony with a picture perfect panorama of the ocean. The noun panorama was coined in 1789 by the inventor and artist Robert Barker to describe “a complete view.” These days you can click the panorama setting on your camera to capture an extra wide vista or scene. Don’t confuse panorama with diorama: They sound similar, but remember that a panorama is the view and a diorama is the viewing device.

Example Sentences

The gunfire did not appear to faze tourists, who ascended Morro Dois Irmaos at dawn on Tuesday to watch the sunrise over Rio's sweeping panorama of mountains and curved beaches.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

“We must acknowledge how we have fallen short. That means welcoming as comprehensive a panorama of perspectives as possible—even, and especially, those that may be critical—and facing such criticism with humility and curiosity.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

With £15,000 shelled out on 720,000 "Thank You" leaflets, residents were treated to a panorama of the Birmingham skyline.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2025

I watched families bury loved ones in a muddy cemetery and was at a loss to convey the enormity of the moment, set against the panorama of geopolitics.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2025

Instead of helping, I was forced to watch the panorama of catastrophe unroll before my eyes.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys