Terminology Movie theater

the fox theater in atlanta, georgia has old-fashioned neon sign.

a movie theater may referred movie theatre, movie house, film house, film theater or picture house. in us, theater has long been preferred spelling, while in uk, canada , elsewhere theatre.

however, theaters opt use british spelling in own names, practice supported national association of theatre owners, while apart north america english-speaking countries use term cinema /ˈsɪnɪmə/, alternatively spelled , pronounced kinema /ˈkɪnɪmə/. latter terms, derivative adjectives cinematic , kinematic , derive greek κινῆμα, κινήματος (kinema, kinematos)— movement , motion . in countries terms used, word theatre reserved live performance venues.

colloquial expressions, applied motion pictures , motion picture theaters collectively, include silver screen (formerly sheet) , big screen (contrasted smaller screen of television set). specific north american term movies, while specific terms in uk pictures, flicks , facility flea pit (or fleapit). screening room small theater, private one, such use of involved in production of motion pictures or in large private residence.

the etymology of term movie theater involves term movie , shortened form of moving picture in cinematographic sense first used in 1896 , theater , originated in ...late 14c., [meaning an] open air place in ancient times viewing spectacles , plays . term theater comes old french word theatre , 12th century , ...directly latin theatrum [which meant] play-house, theater; stage; spectators in theater , in turn came greek word theatron , meant theater; people in theater; show, spectacle, [or] literally place viewing. use of word theatre mean building plays shown dates 1570s in english language.