Webcam
Webcam
A camera that captures video through a computer and sends it over the internet.
In Simple Terms
A webcam is a device you connect to a computer to send live video of yourself or your surroundings in real time. It's used for things like online classes and remote work meetings, letting people see each other's faces while they talk. Some computers have one built in, while others use an external camera attached later, usually via USB.
Behind the Name
"Webcam" blends "Web" (as in the World Wide Web, the system for sharing information across the internet) with "camera." It's sometimes written as "WebCam" too. The name reflects exactly what it does: it's a camera built to send video over a network.
Take a Closer Look!
A webcam is a camera that captures video in real time and sends it to the connected computer, which then relays it over the internet. Roughly speaking, it works like a small video camera made for computers.
Unlike a typical digital camera, it doesn't store data on the device itself — instead, it sends video directly to whatever it's connected to.
It's usually connected to a computer with a USB cable, and most models are recognized automatically as soon as you plug them in. Laptops and tablets also often come with a camera already built into the top of the screen.
External webcams have the advantage of offering higher image quality and letting you freely adjust the shooting angle.
Common uses include video calls and online meetings, where you talk face-to-face with someone in a different location, as well as live streaming, where you broadcast your own video over the internet.
For continuous room monitoring or security purposes, a different kind of device called a network camera — one that connects to the internet on its own — is typically used instead.