English Reference
noun

panorama

n.
US /ˌpænɝˈæmə/ UK /pˌænəɹˈæmɐ/ panora·ma UK spelling panoramas

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a wide view of a large area of land, often seen from a high place.

    an unobstructed and wide-angle view of an entire surrounding area, typically a landscape.

    Simple

    From the top of the mountain, we enjoyed a beautiful panorama of the valley.

    In context

    The penthouse balcony offers an unparalleled panorama of the city skyline, stretching from the harbor to the distant hills.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    a complete or wide-ranging description of a subject or a period of time.

    a comprehensive survey or presentation of a subject, series of events, or field of study.

    Simple

    The book provides a panorama of life in Europe during the nineteenth century.

    In context

    The professor's lecture offered a fascinating panorama of modern architectural history, connecting social changes to evolving building styles.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Technical

    a long picture or a series of images that show a whole scene.

    a picture or series of pictures representing a continuous scene, often displayed on a curved surface.

    Simple

    The museum features a giant panorama showing the famous battle in great detail.

    In context

    Victorian audiences were enthralled by moving panoramas, which used long scrolls of painted canvas to simulate travel through exotic landscapes.

    cycloramamural

From pan- (“all”) + Ancient Greek ὅρᾱμᾰ (hórāmă, “view”). Coined by Robert Barker (painter) in 1792.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Ancient Greek ὅραμα
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated