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
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Against that backdrop, this year’s festival hopes to accomplish what so many documentary filmmakers set out to achieve: to bear witness, spark debate, speak truth to power, and provide some measure of comfort and community in tumultuous times.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
The documentary is brought to audiences by the SHEBA brand, with Cravalho attached as an associate producer.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for documentary
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Adjective
That’s on the latest episode of Doc Talk, hosted by Oscar winner Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley) and Carey, Deadline’s documentary editor.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Against that backdrop, this year’s festival hopes to accomplish what so many documentary filmmakers set out to achieve: to bear witness, spark debate, speak truth to power, and provide some measure of comfort and community in tumultuous times.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
As a long-standing fan of the Emmy-award winning documentary that has chronicled the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the former England international was already well versed in not only the Welsh club’s rise, but also the local characters.
—Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
The documentary is brought to audiences by the SHEBA brand, with Cravalho attached as an associate producer.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 13 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 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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