drama

[ drah-muh, dram-uh ]

noun

1. a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue or pantomime a story involving conflict or contrast of character, especially one intended to be acted on the stage; a play.
2. the branch of literature having such compositions as its subject; dramatic art or representation.
3. the art dealing with the writing and production of plays.
4. any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional, conflicting, or striking interest or results:

   the drama of a murder trial.

5. the quality of being dramatic.

drama

/ ˈdrɑːmə /

noun

1. a work to be performed by actors on stage, radio, or television; play
2. the genre of literature represented by works intended for the stage
3. the art of the writing and production of plays
4. a situation or sequence of events that is highly emotional, tragic, or turbulent

Other Words From

• mini·drama noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of drama¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Late Latin, from Greek drâma “action (of a play),” from drá(ein), drâ(n) “to act, do” + -ma, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of drama¹

C17: from Late Latin: a play, from Greek: something performed, from drān to do

Example Sentences

Calls for new taxpayer support of the Postal Service have increased during the pandemic and the latest drama has brought renewed attention to the agency’s plight.

From Voice of San Diego

The greatest visual drama comes from the planet’s rings, viewed from a unique perspective.

From Nautilus

That’s not to say the ensuing drama around TikTok won’t affect advertisers’ plans.

From Digiday

It “plays out the whole drama of courtship, marriage, and parenthood in terms of types of behavior believed to be innate and therefore appropriate for one sex or for the other.”

From Nautilus

Nature’s fireworks can light the sky with electrifying drama.

From Science News For Students

Rashad was there to celebrate the release of the Civil Rights drama Selma.

From The Daily Beast

How about baby drama with little Abijean and the Wee Baby Seamus?

From The Daily Beast

More than 20 million people tuned in to a broadcast network drama and saw two gay men have explicit sex.

From The Daily Beast

Nowhere to be found is the anguish, the drama, the pain of an athlete on that level who considering walking away.

From The Daily Beast

Few series arrive with the buzz of Aaron Sorkin's HBO drama.

From The Daily Beast

She was therefore prepared to sustain her part in the drama Routemberg was bringing on the tapis.

From Project Gutenberg

The overture is over, the curtain is about to rise on the drama of Georgie's married life.

From Project Gutenberg

He was also the one and only personage in the drama, concentrating on himself the attention of the audience.

From Project Gutenberg

The intensity of this drama, however, being interior, caused little outward disturbance that casual onlookers need have noticed.

From Project Gutenberg

He being more musical, and a greater lover of the drama than I, arranged our visits to the theatres and concert halls.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• comedy
• farce
• melodrama
• play
• production
• scene
• show
• theater
• tragedy