n.1 an apparatus for taking photographs, consisting of a lightproof box to hold light-sensitive film, a lens, and a shutter mechanism, either for still photographs or for motion-picture film.
2 Telev. a piece of equipment which forms an optical image and converts it into electrical impulses for transmission or storage.
Phrases and idioms:
camera obscura an internally darkened box with an aperture for projecting the image of an external object on a screen inside it. camera-ready Printing (of copy) in a form suitable for immediate photographic reproduction. in camera
1. Law in a judge's private room.
2 privately; not in public. on camera (esp. of an actor or actress) being filmed or televised at a particular moment.
Etymology: orig. chamber f. L camera f. Gk kamara vault etc.