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 Clark
Examples 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
So while the photography is lovely and the horses are impressive, the show devolves into hour after hour of similar scenes and bland drama.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
The closest lodging is about ten miles away in tiny Huntsville, and the nearest hub, with hotels, dining, and an après scene, is 30 minutes downvalley in Ogden.
—Sam Pfeifle, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
That opportunity finally came in Minnesota, when Alexander-Walker sprung onto the scene in the form of an elite perimeter defender during the 2023 postseason after Jaden McDaniels went down with a broken hand.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
Biden is finished on the national political scene, and Harris’ future is in doubt, given her defeat and the array of younger, fresher potential rivals.
—Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scene 
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Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
The closest lodging is about ten miles away in tiny Huntsville, and the nearest hub, with hotels, dining, and an après scene, is 30 minutes downvalley in Ogden.
—Sam Pfeifle, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
That opportunity finally came in Minnesota, when Alexander-Walker sprung onto the scene in the form of an elite perimeter defender during the 2023 postseason after Jaden McDaniels went down with a broken hand.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
Biden is finished on the national political scene, and Harris’ future is in doubt, given her defeat and the array of younger, fresher potential rivals.
—Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for scene
Dictionary Entries Near scene
Cite this Entry
“Scene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scene. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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
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