camera

noun

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)
2
: the treasury department of the papal curia
see also:

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.
In the comedy series field, the writing noms were dominated by auteur forces who are on both sides of the camera for their shows. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 July 2026 Director Rebecca Miller earned a nomination for her work behind the camera on the five-part series. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 July 2026 Casillas said the landscape, where trail cameras have photographed a wide variety of wildlife and wildflowers bloom in the spring, is often overlooked by motorists on Highway 1. Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 Changes have also been made to the short form, sound mixing, and music categories, and the casting, costume and lighting, and camera and technical arts categories have been expanded. Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 8 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Camera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camera. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

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

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