doc·u·men·ta·ry
ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-tə-rē 
-ˈmen-trē,
-kyü-
1
: being or consisting of documents : contained or certified in writing
documentary evidence
2
: of, relating to, or employing documentation (see documentation sense 2) in literature or art
plural documentaries
: a presentation (such as a film or novel) expressing or dealing with factual events : a documentary presentation
Synonyms
Examples of documentary in a Sentence
Adjective
You must present documentary proof of your residence.
a documentary film about the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor
Noun
We watched a documentary on the early history of jazz.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
Much of the discussion focused on what those in the nonfiction space can and should be doing now after the documentary bubble burst and as purse strings have been tightened all over town.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
Piece by Piece: Plot, Cast, Run Time Directed by Morgan Neville, Piece by Piece is a documentary about Pharrell Williams’ life growing up with music in Virginia Beach to becoming a global superstar recording artist and producer — all told through Lego pieces.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for documentary 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The documentary brims with women who are willing to put themselves on the line, facing legitimate fears for their security.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
Much of the discussion focused on what those in the nonfiction space can and should be doing now after the documentary bubble burst and as purse strings have been tightened all over town.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
Of the 67 filmmakers invited to screen their documentaries at the fest, 34 self-identify as women or nonbinary, and 31 self-identify as people of color.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
Piece by Piece: Plot, Cast, Run Time Directed by Morgan Neville, Piece by Piece is a documentary about Pharrell Williams’ life growing up with music in Virginia Beach to becoming a global superstar recording artist and producer — all told through Lego pieces.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for documentary
Dictionary Entries Near documentary
Cite this Entry
“Documentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/documentary. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
documentary
1 of 2 adjective
doc·u·men·ta·ry
ˌdäk-yə-ˈment-ə-rē
-ˈmen-trē
1
: consisting of documents
also
: being in writing
documentary proof
2
: presenting actual events or facts about something
a documentary film
documentary
2 of 2 noun
plural documentaries
: a documentary presentation (as a film or novel)
Legal Definition
documentary
adjective
doc·u·men·ta·ry
ˌdä-kyə-ˈmen-tə-rē
: being, consisting of, or contained in documents
documentary evidence
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share