screenplay
noun
screen·play
ˈskrēn-ˌplā 
: the script and often shooting directions of a story prepared for movie production
Examples of screenplay in a Sentence
an award for best screenplay
each actor will be given a copy of the screenplay to study
Recent Examples on the Web
Hancock wrote the screenplay with Michael Wisner, Alexandra Duparc and Ned Benson.
—
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Toning down the screenplay was a major headache that added tens of millions to the budget.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
This year’s fellows and grantees are at the very beginning of that journey—developing screenplays where real scientific discovery and processes shape the story from the ground up.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Apr. 2026
Playwright and actress Ana Nogueira is responsible for the screenplay.
—Mark Meszoros, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for screenplay
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.
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2026
Toning down the screenplay was a major headache that added tens of millions to the budget.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
This year’s fellows and grantees are at the very beginning of that journey—developing screenplays where real scientific discovery and processes shape the story from the ground up.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Apr. 2026
Playwright and actress Ana Nogueira is responsible for the screenplay.
—Mark Meszoros, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for screenplay
Cite this Entry
“Screenplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screenplay. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
screenplay
noun
screen·play
ˈskrēn-ˌplā
: the written form of a story prepared for film production
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
