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.
filmed; filming; films
1
: to cover with or as if with a film
2
: to make a motion picture of or from
film a scene
1
: to become covered or obscured with or as if with a film
2
: to make a motion picture
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
Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
This is one of those stories that could easily be a feature length film.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
The actor was 13 years old while filming the first season.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for film
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Versions of these battles were playing out at the U: a Latino student group, Mecha, blocked the entrance to a film screening about transgender kids who had detransitioned, hosted by the Young Americans for Freedom.
—Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
This is one of those stories that could easily be a feature length film.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
Backgrid Pausing to greet fans while filming her new show The Beauty in Paris, Hadid—who wore a patchwork top, floor-grazing jeans, and pointed heels—seemed to be in high spirits.
—Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
The actor was 13 years old while filming the first season.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for film
Cite this Entry
“Film.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/film. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
film
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 verb1
: to cover or become covered with film
2
: to make a motion picture of or from
Medical Definition
film
noun1
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
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