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¹film

noun, often attributive \ˈfilm, Southern also ˈfi(ə)m\

: a special material that is used for taking photographs

: the process, art, or business of making movies

: a thin layer on or over the surface of something

Full Definition of FILM

a : a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle

b : an abnormal growth on or in the eye

: a thin covering or coating <a film of ice>

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

: motion picture

— film·less \-ləs\ adjective

See film defined for English-language learners

See film defined for kids

Origin of FILM

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: before 12th century

Related to FILM

Synonyms: movie, flick, flicker, motion picture, moving picture, picture

Other Pictures (on film) Terms

daguerreotype, emulsion, fill, sepia, still, stop

²film

verb

: to make a movie of (something) : to photograph (an event, scene, etc.) with a movie or video camera

: to make a movie

Full Definition of FILM

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with a film

: to make a motion picture of or from <film a scene>

intransitive verb

: to become covered or obscured with or as if with a film

: to make a motion picture

— film·able \ˈfil-mə-bəl\ adjective

See film defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of FILM

1602

FILMABLE Defined for Kids

¹film

noun \ˈfilm\

Definition of FILM for Kids

: a roll of material prepared for taking pictures

: movie 1

: a thin coating or layer

²film

verb

filmedfilm·ing

Definition of FILM for Kids

: to make a movie

: to photograph on a film

Medical Dictionary

film

noun \ˈfilm\

Medical Definition of FILM

a : a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle b : an abnormal growth on or in the eye

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