cinema
SIHN-ih-muh
Cinema (noun) means a building where films are shown to the public. Example: “Is there a cinema near the station that shows late films?”
noun
1
A building where films are shown to the public.
"Is there a cinema near the station that shows late films?"
"We went to the cinema to watch the new release."
"The local cinema was packed on opening night."
2
Films collectively, or the art and industry of filmmaking.
"French cinema has influenced many directors around the world."
"Do you think cinema is better at telling stories than television?"
"She studied the history of world cinema at university."
How to use cinema
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the movie theatre itself, or films and filmmaking as an art form.
UK vs US
British English commonly uses "cinema" for the movie theatre; American English typically says "movie theater" and reserves "cinema" for the art form.
Common pairings
go to the cinema
world cinema
independent cinema
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Word forms
- Plural
- cinemas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Is there a _____ near the station that shows late films?
Etymology
Borrowed from French cinéma, a clipping of cinématographe, coined by the Lumière brothers from Greek roots meaning "to write movement".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cinema
See all rhymes for cinema →Frequently asked questions
What does “cinema” mean?
The word “cinema” means a building where films are shown to the public. In plain terms, either the movie theatre itself, or films and filmmaking as an art form.
How do you pronounce “cinema”?
“Cinema” is pronounced SIHN-ih-muh (/ˈsɪn.ə.mə/ in IPA).
How do you use “cinema” in a sentence?
Here is “cinema” used in a sentence: “We went to the cinema to watch the new release.”
What part of speech is “cinema”?
“Cinema” is a noun.
Where does the word “cinema” come from?
The word “cinema” comes from French. Borrowed from French cinéma, a clipping of cinématographe, coined by the Lumière brothers from Greek roots meaning "to write movement".
Is “cinema” a common word?
“Cinema” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “cinema” have?
“Cinema” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building where films are shown to the public.
What is the difference between 'cinema' and 'theater'?
'Cinema' most often means a building where films are shown, and it is the usual word in British English. In American English that building is normally called a 'movie theater', while 'theater' on its own more often refers to a venue for live stage plays.
What is the difference between 'cinema' and 'film'?
A 'film' is an individual motion picture, whereas 'cinema' in its wider sense means films collectively, or the art and industry of filmmaking. You watch a film, but you might study cinema as an art form.
Is 'cinema' British or American English?
'Cinema' is standard in British English for both the building and the art form. American English speakers more commonly say 'movie theater' for the building and 'the movies' or 'film' for the art form, though 'cinema' is understood and used in more formal or artistic contexts.
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