diorama

noun

di·​ora·​ma ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mə How to pronounce diorama (audio) -ˈrä- How to pronounce diorama (audio)
1
: a scenic representation in which a partly translucent painting is seen from a distance through an opening
2
a
: a scenic representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike details are displayed usually in miniature so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted background
b
: a life-size exhibit (as of a wildlife specimen or scene) with realistic natural surroundings and a painted background
dioramic
ˌdī-ə-ˈra-mik How to pronounce diorama (audio)
-ˈrä-
adjective

Examples of diorama in a Sentence

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.
Expect more than a dozen sculptural and diorama artists to contribute, along with those who specialize in mixed media for interactive and video content. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Originally, the main attraction was the scenery of the park — but over the years, Disneyland has added additional scenes, including a Grand Canyon diorama and massive animatronic dinosaurs. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026 Nearby is the Lincoln Museum, filled with period artifacts and wax-figure dioramas that span the breadth of his life, from his early cabin years to the finality of Ford's Theatre. — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026 But like many other Venezuelans, I am riveted by the pictures of endless rubble, of buildings whose facades have collapsed, displaying the rooms inside like dioramas of life before disaster. — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for diorama

Word History

Etymology

French, from dia- + -orama (as in panorama, from English)

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diorama was in 1823

Rhymes for diorama

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Browse Nearby Words

Dior
diorama
dioramic
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Cite this Entry

“Diorama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diorama. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

diorama

noun
di·​o·​rama
ˌdī-ə-ˈram-ə, 
-ˈräm-
: a scenic representation in which lifelike sculptured figures and surrounding details are realistically set against a painted background

More from Merriam-Webster on diorama

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diorama

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