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
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
Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
That’s on the new episode of Doc Talk, co-hosted by Oscar winner John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley) and Matt Carey, Deadline’s documentary editor.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 24 May 2025
In time for the two-year anniversary of the fatal Titan submersible implosion, Netflix is releasing a documentary that dives into the tragic incident.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for documentary
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Adjective
The documentary style in underground cinema, handheld cameras, the use of non-professional actors, and the unfiltered depiction of real life is not dissimilar to the lyrical and auditory structures of Persian rap.
—Ali Farahmand, IndieWire, 23 May 2025
That’s on the new episode of Doc Talk, co-hosted by Oscar winner John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley) and Matt Carey, Deadline’s documentary editor.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 May 2025
Noun
On May 23, a documentary about elite Air Force pilots will take flight.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 24 May 2025
In time for the two-year anniversary of the fatal Titan submersible implosion, Netflix is releasing a documentary that dives into the tragic incident.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for documentary
Cite this Entry
“Documentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/documentary. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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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