1
: one of the subdivisions of a play: such as
a
: a division of an act presenting continuous action in one place
b
: a single situation or unit of dialogue in a play
the love scene
c
: a motion-picture or television episode or sequence
2
a
: a stage setting
b
: a real or imaginary prospect suggesting a stage setting
a sylvan scene
3
: the place of an occurrence or action : locale
scene of the crime
4
: an exhibition of anger or indecorous behavior
He has stolen her salad, but she's too well-mannered to make a scene [=act in a disruptive way].—
Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby5
a
: sphere of activity
the drug scene
b
: situation
a bad scene
Phrases
behind the scenes
1
: out of public view
also
: in secret
2
: in a position to see the hidden workings
taken behind the scenes and told just how in fact the actual government … has operated—William Clark
William Clark
Examples of scene in a Sentence
The play's opening scene takes place in the courtyard.
The actor was nervous about his big scene.
Police are now at the scene.
Recent Examples on the Web
His remains were recovered after the fire brigade arrived at the scene.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
That’s between Interstate 485 and Piper Glen Drive. MEDIC pronounced Byas dead at the scene, CMPD said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2024
Codi Malott, Oakland Mills, freshman Malott burst onto the scene for the Scorpions as a freshman.
—Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2024
Suspect Kevin Yong, 38, was arrested at the scene and charged with manslaughter.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for scene 
David Faris, Newsweek, 10 July 2024
That’s between Interstate 485 and Piper Glen Drive. MEDIC pronounced Byas dead at the scene, CMPD said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2024
Codi Malott, Oakland Mills, freshman Malott burst onto the scene for the Scorpions as a freshman.
—Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2024
Suspect Kevin Yong, 38, was arrested at the scene and charged with manslaughter.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for scene
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scene
Cite this Entry
“Scene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scene. Accessed 14 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scene
noun1
a
: a division of an act during which there is no change of scene or break in time
b
: a single situation or conversation in a play
the love scene
c
: a small part of a motion picture or a television program
2
a
: a stage setting
change scenes
b
: a view or sight that looks like a picture
a winter scene
3
: the place of an event or action : locale
the scene of the crime
4
: a display of anger or misconduct
made a scene when accused of the crime
5
a
: area of activity
the music scene
b
: situation sense 3
the scene got serious when the police arrived
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