# nickelodeon

/ˌnɪkɪˈɫoʊdiən/ (US) · /nˌɪkɪlˈəʊdɪən/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nickelodeon
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

an early type of movie theater that cost five cents to enter. These were popular in the early 1900s before modern cinemas existed.

For teachers: an early twentieth-century movie theater charging five cents for admission, typically featuring short films or illustrated songs. Often associated with the transition from traveling shows to permanent exhibition spaces.

## Examples

- People crowded into the nickelodeon to see the new short film.
- Before the rise of grand movie palaces, the local nickelodeon was the primary source of affordable entertainment for the working class.
- The rapid proliferation of the nickelodeon across urban centers signaled a shift in social habits, as silent films became a daily ritual for diverse immigrant populations.

## Usage notes

- Archaic in modern contexts; primarily used when discussing the history of American cinema.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.