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
One of the newest attractions extending from Bangkok to the Khao Yai region is Art Forest, a public project intended to propel Thailand’s contemporary art scene into the center of the Southeast Asia spotlight.
—Lane Nieset, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
Additional scenes were shot in the hotel’s restaurants, pool, gym, boxing ring, spirit house, beach and common areas, as well as those luxurious water hammocks.
—Jordan Riefe, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
The mesmerizing movement of men tossing sticks of fire on the sand and people pulsing to the beat in a haze of hookah smoke felt like a scene plucked straight from the show.
—Anna Haines, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2025
Adria had earned the right to be the one determining the climate of the scene.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for scene 
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Lane Nieset, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025
Additional scenes were shot in the hotel’s restaurants, pool, gym, boxing ring, spirit house, beach and common areas, as well as those luxurious water hammocks.
—Jordan Riefe, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025
The mesmerizing movement of men tossing sticks of fire on the sand and people pulsing to the beat in a haze of hookah smoke felt like a scene plucked straight from the show.
—Anna Haines, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2025
Adria had earned the right to be the one determining the climate of the scene.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
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 20 Feb. 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
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