letterboxing

let·ter·box  (ltr-bks)

n.

1. See mailbox.

2. A format for presenting movies on television that maintains the rectangular theater image on a television screen by reducing the overall image until the full width can be seen, resulting in blank space above and below the image.

tr.v. let·ter·box·es, let·ter·box·ing, let·ter·boxed

To produce or present (film) in a letterbox format.

---

letterboxing [ˈlɛtəˌbɒksɪŋ]

n

(Performing Arts) a method of formatting film that enables all of a wide-screen film to be transmitted on a television screen, resulting in a blank strip of screen above and below the picture