diorama

noun

di·​ora·​ma ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mə  -ˈrä- 

1

: a scenic representation in which a partly translucent painting is seen from a distance through an opening

2

a

: a scenic representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike details are displayed usually in miniature so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted background

b

: a life-size exhibit (as of a wildlife specimen or scene) with realistic natural surroundings and a painted background

dioramic

ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mik 

-ˈrä-

adjective

Examples of diorama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of the edible dioramas are larger than a television set. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024

Night at the Museum is purely a vector for gags like this, some of which will remain lodged in the cultural memory forever: an Easter Island head asking for chewing gum, for instance, or Larry being toppled, Gulliver-style, into a diorama. —Sean Malin, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024

The intrigue: The photo, snapped on Nov. 2, 1948, depicts radio techs and staffers collecting and corroborating results for broadcast, a diorama of the station's building and radio tower, and four visible ashtrays. —Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 20 Oct. 2024

Collins, 73, a retired preschool teacher, creates the dioramas, making and arranging miniatures within shadow boxes made by her husband, Eddie Lewis. —Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from dia- + -orama (as in panorama, from English)

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

diorama

noun

di·​o·​rama

ˌdī-ə-ˈram-ə,

-ˈräm-

: a scenic representation in which lifelike sculptured figures and surrounding details are realistically set against a painted background