webcam
WEB-kam
/ˈweb.kæm/
A video camera connected to a computer or built into a device that streams real-time video over the internet.
Refers to the physical hardware component or integrated device used specifically for online video calls.
The story behind the word. The earliest webcam was created in 1991 at Cambridge University's Computer Laboratory. Scientists pointed a video camera at a Trojan Room coffee pot so researchers could check if coffee was ready without leaving their desks.
Word relationships
- video camera: A video camera is a broader term covering handheld, studio, and cinematic cameras, whereas a webcam is designed specifically for computer networking.
Commonly confused with
- camcorder: A camcorder records video to internal storage for editing later, while a webcam broadcasts live digital video stream directly through a network.
Collocations
- hd webcam
- built-in webcam
- external webcam
- turn on the webcam
Example sentences
- "She adjusted her external webcam so that the lighting framed her face evenly during the video call." Professional remote work setup
Memory hook
WEB + CAM: A camera plugged directly into the World Wide Web. The eye of your computer.
When not to use
Do not use 'webcam' to refer to high-end cinema or television studio cameras.
Fun facts
- The world's first webcam was created solely to avoid wasted trips to an empty coffee pot at Cambridge University.
Related words
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