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

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

A snapshot of Edim’s life as an undergraduate at Howard University during this time should make any professor think twice about judging students who nod off in class.

From Los Angeles Times

In the 58-page report, authored by top Democrats in the chamber, an 11-month-wide snapshot of Trump Organization finances paints a picture of the former president’s abusing the office for financial gain.

From Salon

Related Words

• photo