camera

noun

cam·​era ˈkam-rə How to pronounce camera (audio)
ˈka-mə-rə
1
a
: a device that consists of a lightproof chamber with an aperture fitted with a lens and a shutter through which the image of an object is projected onto a surface for recording (as on a photosensitive film or an electronic sensor) or for translation into electrical impulses (as for television broadcast)
b
: camera obscura
2
: the treasury department of the papal curia
see also:
off camera on camera

Examples of camera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Players must solve puzzles using the camera to try to break the cycle of madness. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 Rumors are also swirling around about the later iPhones’ Dynamic Island camera housing coming to these MacBook Pro models. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 Models need to generalize across locations, layouts and camera conditions. — Maria Zhang, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Former Wisconsin guard John Blackwell of Duke had a strong game in front of the national cameras. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for camera

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, room — more at chamber

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of camera was in 1566

Phrases Containing camera

Browse Nearby Words

cameo yellow
camera
camera-eye
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Camera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camera. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

camera

noun
cam·​era ˈkam-(ə-)rə How to pronounce camera (audio)
1
: a judge's private office
hearings held in camera
2
: a lightproof box fitted with a lens through which the image of an object is projected onto a surface that is sensitive to light for recording (as on film) or for converting into electrical signals (as for a live television broadcast)
Etymology

from Latin camera "room, chamber"; sense 2 from the scientific Latin phrase camera obscura, literally, "dark chamber" — related to chamber

More from Merriam-Webster on camera

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about camera

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