film

1 of 2

noun

ˈfilm How to pronounce film (audio)
 Southern also  ˈfi(ə)m
plural films
often attributive
1
a
: a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle
b
: an abnormal growth on or in the eye
2
: a thin covering or coating
a film of ice
3
a
: an exceedingly thin layer : lamina
b(1)
: a thin flexible transparent sheet (as of plastic) used especially as a wrapping
(2)
: a thin sheet of cellulose acetate or nitrocellulose coated with a radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs
4
a
: movie, motion picture
an award-winning film
film critics
The film will start in ten minutes.
b
: the process, art, or business of making movies
a career in film
She studied film in college.
filmless adjective

film

2 of 2

verb

filmed; filming; films

transitive verb

1
: to cover with or as if with a film
2
: to make a motion picture of or from
film a scene

intransitive verb

1
: to become covered or obscured with or as if with a film
2
: to make a motion picture
filmable adjective

Examples of film in a Sentence

Noun Have you bought any film for the camera? We haven't had the film developed yet. He's interested in making films about war. We'll start the film at 10:00. He studied film in college. the protective film over a shark's eye A film of ice covered the sidewalk. Verb Television news crew members came to film the interview. She filmed the children playing.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Drew Hancock’s sci-fi tinged film set in the near future is about a group of friends on a weekend lakeside getaway. Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025 In a nutshell, this film is present due the fact that the water molecules at the surface of a block of ice aren't held in place by any molecules above them. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
The petition asks state government leadership to uncap tax incentives for the next three years for productions filming in Los Angeles County and asks studios and streamers to pledge to film 10% more in the city over that same time period. Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025 For much of the remaining hour, Brody broke down his, Corbet’s, and other creatives’ approach to filming The Brutalist. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for film 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English filme, from Old English filmen; akin to Greek pelma sole of the foot, Old English fell skin — more at fell

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of film was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near film

Cite this Entry

“Film.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/film. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

film

1 of 2 noun
1
: a thin skin or membrane
2
: a thin coating or layer
3
: a roll or strip of thin flexible transparent material coated with a chemical substance sensitive to light and used in taking pictures
4

film

2 of 2 verb
1
: to cover or become covered with film
2
: to make a motion picture of or from

Medical Definition

film

noun
1
a
: a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle
b
: an abnormal growth on or in the eye
2
a
: an exceedingly thin layer : lamina
b
: a thin flexible transparent sheet of cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate coated with a radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs or making radiographs

More from Merriam-Webster on film

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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