cinema

cin-e-ma · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A building where films are shown for public entertainment.

  2. 2.

    The art or industry of making films.

  3. 3.

    Films collectively; the movie business.

Forms

plural: cinemas

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    go to the cinema — To watch a film at a movie theater.
  • •
    cinema-goer — A person who regularly attends the cinema.
  • •
    art-house cinema — Films that are artistic rather than mainstream commercial.

Related words

See also: film, movie, theater
Synonyms: film, movie theater, movies, pictures

Etymology

From French cinema, shortened from cinematographe, coined by the Lumiere brothers from Greek kinema ("movement") + graphein ("to write"). First used in English in the early 20th century.