WordGarden.iovideocamera
Pronunciation
UK
US
Meanings
Noun
a camera for recording moving images
Beyond the definition
A videocamera, often called a camcorder, is a camera made for recording moving pictures instead of still photos. You can think of it as a device that captures life as it happens. While smartphones now record very good video, dedicated video cameras are still used by professionals and serious hobbyists because they often offer better image quality, stronger zoom, and more control over settings. A person might use one to film a family trip, make a documentary, or record a live event. The single-word form "videocamera" is less common today, and many people now say "video camera" or simply "camera."
The word "videocamera" (or "video camera") refers to an electronic device used to record moving images, and often sound, to make videos. It combines "video" and "camera" to describe a tool made for filming rather than for taking single still photos. Early video cameras were often large machines that used magnetic tape, while modern ones are usually compact digital devices that store footage on memory cards or internal storage.
You would usually use "videocamera" when talking about the device itself rather than just the act of filming. For example: "He bought a professional videocamera for his film project," or, "My grandfather still has his old VHS videocamera from the '80s."
However, "videocamera" now sounds a little dated because modern devices often do many jobs at once. Smartphones can record high-quality video, and many people simply call any filming device a "camera" without adding the word "video." Today, it is more common to hear "video camera" as two words, or just "camera," depending on the situation.
Even so, the term is still useful when talking about older technology or special equipment used in filmmaking, journalism, or broadcasting. It still brings to mind a dedicated tool for recording life in motion and saving those moments for later.
Examples
- 1
School project
She borrowed a videocamera from the school to film her class project.
- 2
Event filming
He set the videocamera on a tripod before the ceremony began.
- 3
Recorded evidence
The argument was caught on a neighbor's videocamera.
- Phrasecaught on a videocamera
recorded by it
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- videocamera