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.

---

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

---

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”

Example Sentences

One daring sequence toward the end offers a vivid panorama beyond this woman’s world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

Many Indigenous peoples use the stars for orientation as their ancestors did, and the panorama of stars serves as a "library" of Indigenous knowledge.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2025

From there, you could drive into the high country and catch the panorama from Glacier Point.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2025

There were at least 10 separate screens at the sports bar, a 270-degree panorama that in theory could also amp up my ad exposure tenfold, our American answer to the Roman forum.

From Slate • Nov. 3, 2024

Floor-to-ceiling windows take in the hazy panorama of the bay.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer