snapshot

noun

snap·​shot ˈsnap-ˌshät How to pronounce snapshot (audio)
Synonyms of snapshot
1
: a casual photograph made typically by an amateur with a small handheld camera
2
: an impression or view of something brief or transitory
a snapshot of life back then

Synonyms of snapshot

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Examples of snapshot in a Sentence

fans excitedly took snapshots of the rock star as he dashed into the hotel
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.
But caution about the wrong thing, paper instead of data, snapshots instead of live feeds, is no longer protective. — Matthew White, Fortune, 7 July 2026 The problem with the snapshot A conventional blood test is a photograph. — Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 In the meantime, the EPs are meant to function as raw, thematic snapshots from the veteran Irish quartet. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 7 July 2026 The comedian playfully gave the camera the middle finger and stuck her tongue out aboard a white jet ski, wearing a black helmet and a black life jacket over of her swimsuit in one snapshot. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for snapshot

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of snapshot was in 1890

Rhymes for snapshot

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Browse Nearby Words

snap shooting
snapshot
snapshotter
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Cite this Entry

“Snapshot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snapshot. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

snapshot

noun
snap·​shot ˈsnap-ˌshät How to pronounce snapshot (audio)
: a photograph taken usually with a small hand-held camera

More from Merriam-Webster on snapshot

Nglish: Translation of snapshot for Spanish Speakers

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