situation comedy

noun

1. a comedy drama, especially a television series made up of discrete episodes about the same group of characters, as members of a family.

situation comedy

noun

1. (on television or radio) a comedy series involving the same characters in various day-to-day situations which are developed as separate stories for each episode Also calledsitcom

Word History and Origins

Origin of situation comedy¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

If there is one form that immediately screams “television,” it’s the multi-camera situation comedy — filmed, taped or digitally recorded before a live audience, or at least giving the impression that it was.

From Los Angeles Times

Noah and Joanne are unselfish people whose constitutional truthfulness robs the series of one of situation comedy’s main engines — the lie — for the better.

From Los Angeles Times

A buffeted but maintained equanimity was the hallmark of his career, from his stand-up work to his situation comedies to his many guest appearances.

From Los Angeles Times

The initials CBS evidently stand for Crime Busting Shows, which — but for a few situation comedies and “Survivor” — currently dominate the network’s lineup: “FBI,” “FBI: International,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” “FBI True,” “S.W.A.T.,”

From Los Angeles Times

“The few non-plastic situation comedies were gentle and relatively melodramatic and contained no meanness.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• sitcom