film

1 of 2

noun

ˈfilm How to pronounce film (audio)
 Southern also  ˈfi(ə)m
plural films
often attributive
1
a
: a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle
b
: an abnormal growth on or in the eye
2
: a thin covering or coating
a film of ice
3
a
: an exceedingly thin layer : lamina
b(1)
: a thin flexible transparent sheet (as of plastic) used especially as a wrapping
(2)
: a thin sheet of cellulose acetate or nitrocellulose coated with a radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs
4
a
: movie, motion picture
an award-winning film
film critics
The film will start in ten minutes.
b
: the process, art, or business of making movies
a career in film
She studied film in college.
filmless adjective

film

2 of 2

verb

filmed; filming; films

transitive verb

1
: to cover with or as if with a film
2
: to make a motion picture of or from
film a scene

intransitive verb

1
: to become covered or obscured with or as if with a film
2
: to make a motion picture
filmable adjective

Examples of film in a Sentence

Noun Have you bought any film for the camera? We haven't had the film developed yet. He's interested in making films about war. We'll start the film at 10:00. He studied film in college. the protective film over a shark's eye A film of ice covered the sidewalk. Verb Television news crew members came to film the interview. She filmed the children playing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The film, starring Jeffrey Wright, debuted on the MGM+ streaming service March 8. Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 The film, directed by Matthew Heineman, follows Batiste and his partner, author-artist Suleika Jaouad, over a tumultuous year in their life as Batiste composes his first symphony and Jaouad undergoes treatment for lung cancer. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 Though there was some controversy over the fact that neither Barbie director Greta Gerwig nor star Margot Robbie were nominated for Directing or Actress in a Leading Role, respectively, the film is up for multiple trophies. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2024 The film, presented by L.A. Times Studios and Searchlight Pictures, tells the story of the technicians who repair LAUSD students’ musical instruments. Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 There’s a disturbance in the Force, and the film: The Cerveza Cristal logo appears in the center of the screen, its catchy jingle ringing in the background. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 10 Mar. 2024 Marguerite Clark: The stage and film actor, born in Avondale, was briefly America’s darling during the silent film era of the 1910s. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2024 The detectives showed Gutierrez Reed a photo of the lead bullet that had been removed from the shoulder of Joel Souza, the film’s director. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 Lohan, who starred as fish-out-of-water high schooler Cady Heron in the original 2004 film, also made a surprise cameo at the end of the 2024 movie. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
Owls have special velvety feathers that enable silent flight and surround their ear cavities with wind-dampening fluff like the microphones used by outdoor filming crews. Jack Gedney, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 The film, which has begun filming in New Orleans, will center around the band reuniting for one final concert. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 While preparing for the role, Foster — who came out at the 2013 Golden Globes — befriended Stoll ahead of filming. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 So, outside of the archival and the portrait interviews traditional to documentary, the production filmed Marin and Chong driving through the dessert in a vintage car two hours outside of Los Angeles near Joshua Tree National Park. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 By Valerie Trapp What is the correct distance from which to film a dictator? Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2024 For a movie that hardly requires any special effects, so much of it feels like it might as well have been filmed in front of a green screen. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 8 Mar. 2024 The film is expected to start filming this fall and will be presented in international markets by Be for Film. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 It is gorgeously filmed, tightly edited, uplifting and funny: A luxurious travel deep-dive that soars with insight and smiles. Laura Manske, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'film.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English filme, from Old English filmen; akin to Greek pelma sole of the foot, Old English fell skin — more at fell

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of film was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near film

Cite this Entry

“Film.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/film. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

film

1 of 2 noun
1
: a thin skin or membrane
2
: a thin coating or layer
3
: a roll or strip of thin flexible transparent material coated with a chemical substance sensitive to light and used in taking pictures
4

film

2 of 2 verb
1
: to cover or become covered with film
2
: to make a motion picture of or from

Medical Definition

film

noun
1
a
: a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle
b
: an abnormal growth on or in the eye
2
a
: an exceedingly thin layer : lamina
b
: a thin flexible transparent sheet of cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate coated with a radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs or making radiographs

More from Merriam-Webster on film

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