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

“Warfare” premiered in the same theater as the candy-colored aerobics of “The Substance” and, for a disorienting moment, I wondered if the projectionist had swapped in the wrong reel.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 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

“When I was a kid, we had to have a projectionist come out, but now it’s all digital.”

From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green