camera
KA-muh-ruh
Camera (noun) means a device used to take photographs or record video. Example: “Please turn off your camera before entering the museum's old manuscript room.”
noun
1
A device used to take photographs or record video.
"Please turn off your camera before entering the museum's old manuscript room."
"The security camera above the door records everyone who comes in."
"He grabbed his camera to photograph the sunset."
2
The viewpoint or perspective in a video game, film, or simulation.
"In this game, you can move the camera with the right stick."
"The film's camera slowly pulled back to show the whole city."
"The camera swings around the player as they run."
3
A judge's private chambers, as in the legal phrase "in camera."
"The judge asked everyone to leave and heard the case in camera."
"Parts of the evidence were discussed in camera for the family's privacy."
"The hearing was held in camera to protect the witness."
How to use camera
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually the device you take photos or video with; occasionally a legal term for a private courtroom session.
Common pairings
on camera
camera lens
security camera
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Word forms
- Plural
- cameras, cameræ, camerae
Fill the gap
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Please turn off your _____ before entering the museum's old manuscript room.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin camera ("chamber"); the device sense is short for camera obscura, Latin for "dark chamber."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for camera
See all rhymes for camera →Frequently asked questions
What does “camera” mean?
The word “camera” means a device used to take photographs or record video. In plain terms, usually the device you take photos or video with; occasionally a legal term for a private courtroom session.
How do you pronounce “camera”?
“Camera” is pronounced KA-muh-ruh (/ˈkæməɹə/ in IPA).
How do you use “camera” in a sentence?
Here is “camera” used in a sentence: “He grabbed his camera to photograph the sunset.”
What part of speech is “camera”?
“Camera” is a noun.
Where does the word “camera” come from?
The word “camera” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin camera ("chamber"); the device sense is short for camera obscura, Latin for "dark chamber.".
Is “camera” a common word?
“Camera” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “camera” have?
“Camera” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device used to take photographs or record video.
What are the different types of cameras?
Common types include DSLR and mirrorless cameras favored by enthusiasts, compact 'point-and-shoot' cameras, and the smartphone cameras most people use daily. Others are built for specific jobs — action cameras for sports, instant cameras that print photos, and traditional film cameras still valued by hobbyists.
What is the difference between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera?
A DSLR uses a mirror to reflect light from the lens up into an optical viewfinder. A mirrorless camera removes that mirror, showing the image on a digital screen or electronic viewfinder instead. Mirrorless bodies are usually smaller and lighter, which is why they have grown so popular.
How does a camera work?
Light passes through the lens, which focuses it onto a light-sensitive surface — a digital sensor in modern cameras, or film in older ones. The shutter controls how long that surface is exposed. The captured light is then recorded as a photograph or, frame by frame, as video.
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