snapshot

[ snap-shot ]

noun

1. an informal photograph, especially one taken quickly by a handheld camera.
2. Hunting. a quick shot taken without deliberate aim.
3. Informal. a brief appraisal, summary, or profile.

verb (used with or without object)

, snap·shot or snap·shot·ted, snap·shot·ting.

1. to photograph informally and quickly.

snapshot

/ ˈsnæpˌʃɒt /

noun

1. an informal photograph taken with a simple camera Often shortened tosnap

Word History and Origins

Origin of snapshot¹

1800–10 snapshot fordef 2; 1860–65 snapshot fordef 1; snap (in the sense “done suddenly or casually”) + shot ¹none

Example Sentences

"It gives us a snapshot in time so that 20 years from now, we can revisit how scientific experts may have changed their views."

From Science Daily

The frozen carcass provides a remarkable snapshot of a bygone apex predator.

From Science Magazine

The county’s public-facing transparency portal provides a snapshot of the system.

From Los Angeles Times

Which, to be clear, is a reason the Oscars remain so much fun, not to mention a valuable snapshot of what movies and performances academy voters deem worthy at a specific moment in time.

From Los Angeles Times

According to a snapshot from Circana, based on an analysis of 29 everyday products, shoppers are currently paying an average of 10% more for the same item in convenience stores than main supermarkets.

From BBC

Related Words

• photo