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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.


projectionist British  
/ prəˈdʒɛkʃənɪst /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of projectionist

First recorded in 1920–25; projection + -ist


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

I'm a projectionist - I don't just 'press play'

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

One of L.A.’s favorites is the Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood, where veteran Imax projectionist Taylor Umphenour has worked for the last three years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

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

“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

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