1
: one of the subdivisions of a play: such as
a
: a division of an act presenting continuous action in one place
b
: a single situation or unit of dialogue in a play
the love scene
c
: a movie or television episode or sequence
2
a
: a stage setting
b
: a real or imaginary prospect suggesting a stage setting
a sylvan scene
3
: the place of an occurrence or action : locale
scene of the crime
4
: an exhibition of anger or indecorous behavior
He has stolen her salad, but she's too well-mannered to make a scene [=act in a disruptive way].—
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby5
a
: sphere of activity
the drug scene
b
: situation
a bad scene
Phrases
behind the scenes
1
: out of public view
also
: in secret
2
: in a position to see the hidden workings
taken behind the scenes and told just how in fact the actual government … has operated—William Clark
William ClarkExamples of scene in a Sentence
The play's opening scene takes place in the courtyard.
The actor was nervous about his big scene.
Police are now at the scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
With his latest role, Bill Skarsgård had the task of delivering a terrified and tortured performance with no scene partner.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
Before any announcement is made, the ship’s bridge team—often in coordination with the cruise line’s head office—will have worked hard behind the scenes to find an alternative port.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
The pet owners left items of clothing with their smell, Yoda and Whiskey's dog beds and some food at the scene.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Considering the project prided itself on being a throwback to classic movie-making, even shooting on film and utilizing the old format of VistaVision for certain scenes, many fans were disappointed Corbet would use such a divisive technology in his work.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scene
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.
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
Before any announcement is made, the ship’s bridge team—often in coordination with the cruise line’s head office—will have worked hard behind the scenes to find an alternative port.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
The pet owners left items of clothing with their smell, Yoda and Whiskey's dog beds and some food at the scene.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Considering the project prided itself on being a throwback to classic movie-making, even shooting on film and utilizing the old format of VistaVision for certain scenes, many fans were disappointed Corbet would use such a divisive technology in his work.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scene
Cite this Entry
“Scene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scene. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scene
noun1
a
: a division of an act during which there is no change of scene or break in time
b
: a single situation or conversation in a play
the love scene
c
: a small part of a motion picture or a television program
2
a
: a stage setting
change scenes
b
: a view or sight that looks like a picture
a winter scene
3
: the place of an event or action : locale
the scene of the crime
4
: a display of anger or misconduct
made a scene when accused of the crime
5
a
: area of activity
the music scene
b
: situation sense 3
the scene got serious when the police arrived
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share