photograph

1 of 2

noun

pho·​to·​graph ˈfō-tə-ˌgraf How to pronounce photograph (audio)
Synonyms of photographnext
: a picture or likeness obtained by photography

photograph

2 of 2

verb

photographed; photographing; photographs

transitive verb

: to take a photograph of

intransitive verb

1
: to take a photograph
2
: to appear as an image in a photograph
an actress who photographs well

Synonyms of photograph

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Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of photograph in a Sentence

Noun I always take a lot of photographs when I travel. the old photograph was faded but still clear enough to make out Verb He photographed the women sitting on the bench. She was photographed in the studio.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Reddington showed the jury a photograph of the Clancy family, looking happy, and a second one of Lindsay Clancy in the hospital. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 The exhibition comprises five new mixed-media paintings (a rarity for him) and eight new photographs. — Web Behrens, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Habitable Worlds Observatory would be the first designed to photograph Earth-like planets — and even search for chemical signs of life within the atmospheres of those planets. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Before the estate sales and packing up, professional pictures can preserve the little details that many of us never think to photograph. — Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for photograph

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1839, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of photograph was in 1839

Phrases Containing photograph

Rhymes for photograph

See All Rhymes for photograph

Browse Nearby Words

photogrammetry
photograph
photographable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Photograph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photograph. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

photograph

1 of 2 noun
pho·​to·​graph ˈfōt-ə-ˌgraf How to pronounce photograph (audio)
: a picture obtained by photography

photograph

2 of 2 verb
1
: to take a photograph of
2
: to take photographs
3
: to be photographed
photographer
fə-ˈtäg-rə-fər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on photograph

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about photograph

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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