panorama
pan-uh-RAM-uh
/ˌpænəˈræmə/
An unbroken, wide-angle view of an entire surrounding region or landscape.
Implies a broad, sweeping vista requiring a wide lens or panoramic stitching.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1787 by English painter Robert Barker, who invented a continuous painting on a cylindrical wall so viewers standing in the center saw an unbroken 360-degree scene. He combined Greek 'pan' (all) and 'horama' (sight).
Word relationships
- vista: Vista refers to a long, narrow view framed by trees or buildings, whereas panorama is an unobstructed wide view.
- prospect: Prospect emphasizes looking forward or down from a high advantage point.
- close-up: A close-up is a detailed shot taken very near the subject.
Commonly confused with
- landscape: Landscape refers to the physical terrain features, while panorama emphasizes the unbroken wide arc of view.
Word family
- panoramic (adjective): Affording an unobstructed view in all directions.
Collocations
- sweeping panorama
- panoramic view
- full panorama
Example sentences
- "Standing at the summit, we were met by a breathtaking panorama of snow-capped peaks." Mountain hiking overview
Memory hook
PAN-O-RAMA: A PANoramic lens sweeps across all (PAN) directions like a dramatic RAMA. All-encompassing wide view.
When not to use
Do not use for narrow, close-up, or tightly focused shots.
Fun facts
- Robert Barker's original panorama exhibition in London was so realistic that visitors reportedly felt seasick while viewing his painted naval battles.
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