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
Nasha Smith, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
When asked about the impact of his father on his work, renowned filmmaker Oliver Stone recalled working on behind-the-scenes documentaries for his father’s films, such as Alexander and W. This heritage, combined with his own projects, has shaped his approach to documentary filmmaking.
—Shaan Memon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Oct. 2024
Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Post-Credit Scenes • My scene of the week comes early in the episode, when Pat is recording different versions of a line to be spliced into the making-of documentary that will end up on the Tecto Blu-ray.
—Jack King, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for documentary 
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Adjective
Another collaboration sees the Coronado Island Film Festival screening films that highlight the intersection of food, culture, and art, including the documentary Fish and Men, which focuses on the seafood industry.
—Nasha Smith, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
When asked about the impact of his father on his work, renowned filmmaker Oliver Stone recalled working on behind-the-scenes documentaries for his father’s films, such as Alexander and W. This heritage, combined with his own projects, has shaped his approach to documentary filmmaking.
—Shaan Memon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Oct. 2024
Noun
Ver appeared in an HBO documentary about the origins of Bitcoin.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Post-Credit Scenes • My scene of the week comes early in the episode, when Pat is recording different versions of a line to be spliced into the making-of documentary that will end up on the Tecto Blu-ray.
—Jack King, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
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 23 Nov. 2024.
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
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