Definition

1. Noun:
   • A projection screen that is much wider than it is high: A physical screen, typically used in cinemas or for presentations, whose horizontal dimension is significantly greater than its vertical dimension.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The new cinema features a state-of-the-art wide screen for an immersive viewing experience.
  • For the conference, they set up a large wide screen so everyone in the auditorium could see the presentation clearly.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used attributively (functioning like an adjective) to describe media formats, technologies, or content designed for such screens.
  • The film was shot in a wide-screen format. (Here, "wide-screen" acts as a compound adjective modifying "format".)
  • "Wide-screen television": A television set with a screen aspect ratio wider than the traditional 4:3, such as 16:9.

Variants and Related Words

• Widescreen (adj, often written as one word): Describing something that has, uses, or is suitable for a wide screen.
  • A widescreen monitor is better for editing video.
• Aspect ratio (n): The ratio of the width to the height of a screen or image. The wide screen is characterized by a large aspect ratio (e.g., 1.85:1 or 2.39:1).

Synonyms

• Panoramic screen: A screen offering a wide, sweeping view.
• Broad screen: A less common synonym emphasizing breadth.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning refers specifically to the physical screen itself. It does not directly refer to the image projected onto it, the filming technique, or the aspect ratio, though it is intrinsically linked to these concepts.
• In modern usage, "wide screen" or "widescreen" is commonly associated with cinematic experiences and home entertainment systems designed to mimic that format.

Noun

1. a projection screen that is much wider than it is high