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

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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
He had been shot at least five times – in his right arm, his left leg, his right foot, and twice in his abdomen, said Constance DiAngelo, a forensic pathologist who reviewed funeral home photographs of Beloozerov’s body at CNN’s request. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 In 2024, his team used aerial photographs and satellite imagery to count nearly 1,300 structures across southwestern Amazonia. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
Garner, who was photographed separately at the store, embraced an athleisure style moment with a pair of forest green leggings with white stripes running down the sides. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026 Out in Nature The trio were photographed enjoying the outdoors at Balmoral Castle in 1979. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 15 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 17 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of photograph for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about photograph

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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