cinema

[ sin-uh-muh ]

noun

1. movies collectively, as an art:

   During the Great Depression, cinema provided psychological comfort, an escape from the harsh realities of daily life.

2. Also Older Spelling, kin·e·ma []. Chiefly British. movie theater:

   Do you know if there is a cinema near the British Museum?

cinema

/ ˈsɪnɪmə; ˌsɪnɪˈmætɪk /

noun

1. 1. a place designed for the exhibition of films
   2. ( as modifier )

      a cinema seat

2. the cinema
   1. the art or business of making films
   2. films collectively

Derived Forms

• cinematic, adjective
• ˌcineˈmatically, adverb

Other Words From

• cin·e·mat·ic [sin-, uh, -, mat, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinema¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; short for cinematograph

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinema¹

C19 (earlier spelling kinema ): shortened from cinematograph

Example Sentences

By the time she went to university, Kapadia was a regular at experimental, documentary and world cinema festivals in Mumbai.

From Los Angeles Times

“We bid farewell to Tony Todd, a giant of cinema and a beloved soul whose impact on our lives and the world of film will never be forgotten.”

From Los Angeles Times

The film company New Line Cinema mourned Todd’s death on social media over the weekend:

From Los Angeles Times

Irish stars and fans arrived for the premiere of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II in Dublin’s Lighthouse Cinema on Thursday.

From BBC

There aren’t any completely free movie screenings at the major cinema chains, but older adults can find discounts at most of them, including Cinemark theaters, where “senior day” tickets can be as low as $5 for people 62 and older.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• film
• movie house
• movie theater