camera

noun

cam·​era ˈkam-rə 

ˈka-mə-rə

1

a

: a device that consists of a lightproof chamber with an aperture fitted with a lens and a shutter through which the image of an object is projected onto a surface for recording (as on a photosensitive film or an electronic sensor) or for translation into electrical impulses (as for television broadcast)

b

: camera obscura

2

: the treasury department of the papal curia

see also:

off camera on camera

Examples of camera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Giulia eventually entered through the back door, inadvertently bypassing the cameras Conor had set up to capture her reaction. — Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026

In A’zaz, the first town on the Syrian side, a local man objected to the Dane and his camera, and told her to seek permission from the rebel authorities. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

We were attacked by these kids with cameras in this little side street to the bar. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026

In his memoir In the Shadow of Eight, Collin says his mother was abusive and cruel when the cameras weren’t filming. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, room — more at chamber

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing camera

• body camera
• box camera
• camera lucida
• camera obscura
• camera person
• camera work
• candid camera
• catch (something) on camera
• dashboard camera
• digital camera
• doorbell camera
• gamma camera
• in camera
• off camera
• on camera
• Schmidt camera
• security camera
• streak camera
• video camera

Kids Definition

camera

noun

cam·​era ˈkam-(ə-)rə 

1

: a judge's private office

hearings held in camera

2

: a lightproof box fitted with a lens through which the image of an object is projected onto a surface that is sensitive to light for recording (as on film) or for converting into electrical signals (as for a live television broadcast)

Etymology

from Latin camera "room, chamber"; sense 2 from the scientific Latin phrase camera obscura, literally, "dark chamber" — related to chamber