projectionist

American  

[pruh-jek-shuh-nist] / prəˈdʒɛk ʃə nɪst /

noun

1. an operator of a motion-picture or slide projector.

2. a person who makes projections, especially a cartographer.

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projectionist British  

/ prəˈdʒɛkʃənɪst /

noun

1. a person responsible for the operation of film projection machines

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Etymology

Origin of projectionist

First recorded in 1920–25; projection + -ist

Example Sentences

Jerry and Bonnie had grown up in Hebron going to the Mayer every week, and Jerry had even worked there as a projectionist when he was in high school.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

Patrick Caldwell, the projectionist at Cinemark Dallas, said he was “jazzed” about the re-release, and that “virtually every show here has been sold out.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2025

Jason Beauchamp-Hughes, the general manager, has been told Cyril was a projectionist and army volunteer, whose wife was an usherette.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024

I was managing a theater at 17 years old and being the projectionist at the same time, which was insane.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

“Films that cinemas were trashing. If a theater shut down, we raided the basements. And occasionally, if we liked a film enough when we saw it, we’d have a...er...word with the projectionist about it.”

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny