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
Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024
The premium cable outlet is in production on a documentary series that will follow the team in its run-up to the global event, which the United States will jointly host with Canada and Mexico.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024
Walden Green, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2024
The documentary features musician Ketch Secor, a Nashville resident and founding member of the band Old Crow Medicine Show.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for documentary 
Adjective
Variety has learned exclusively the Academy has granted eligibility to the documentary feature for consideration for the upcoming 97th Oscars.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024
The premium cable outlet is in production on a documentary series that will follow the team in its run-up to the global event, which the United States will jointly host with Canada and Mexico.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024
Noun
Kent is the subject of a forthcoming documentary directed by New York radio personality Angie Martinez.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2024
The documentary features musician Ketch Secor, a Nashville resident and founding member of the band Old Crow Medicine Show.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for documentary
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'documentary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near documentary
Cite this Entry
“Documentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/documentary. Accessed 5 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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