cinema

American  

[sin-uh-muh] / ˈsɪn ə mə /

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. Chiefly British.  Also kinema movie theater.

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

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cinema British  

/ ˈsɪnɪmə, ˌsɪnɪˈmætɪk /

noun

1. 1. a place designed for the exhibition of films

   2. ( as modifier )

      a cinema seat

2. 1. the art or business of making films

   2. films collectively

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Other Word Forms

• cinematic adjective
• cinematically adverb

Etymology

Origin of cinema

First recorded in 1895–1900; short for cinematograph

Example Sentences

Paris is one of the world's arthouse cinema hotspots, but falling attendance levels mean beloved independent operators must innovate and invest to survive.

From Barron's

In UK cinemas now and available to rent digitally from 1 December.

From BBC

For decades now, Iranian cinema has regularly been making news.

From The Wall Street Journal

Theater buffs have plenty of reasons to visit the cinema this season.

From The Wall Street Journal

Johnson wants to usher people who moan that today’s movies aren’t any good back into his sacred space, the cinema.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• film
• movie house
• movie theater