camera

cam-er-a · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A device for capturing and recording photographs or moving images.

  2. 2.

    The equipment used for filming in television or cinema production.

Forms

plural: cameras

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    on camera — being filmed or recorded
  • •
    off camera — not being filmed; in private
  • •
    camera-shy — uncomfortable being photographed
  • •
    camera-ready — prepared and suitable for photographing
  • •
    in camera — (legal) in private, not in open court

Related words

See also: film, lens, photograph, video
Synonyms: camcorder, recording device, video camera

Etymology

From Latin camera ("vault, arched chamber"), from Greek καμάρα (kamára, "vaulted chamber"). The word was adopted in the 18th century from "camera obscura" (literally "dark chamber"), an optical device that projected images, which was the predecessor to the modern photographic camera.