CGI

American  

[see-jee-ahy] / ˈsiˈdʒiˈaɪ /

Or cgi

abbreviation

Computers.

1. computer-generated images; computer-generated imagery: digitally created graphics used in movies and other visual media, often in the form of 3D animation: null CG

   The latest movie in the franchise uses more practical effects and less CGI than its predecessors.

2. Common Gateway Interface: a protocol for instructing a server to execute a user-generated script on an interactive website, such as when a user enters a query using an online form and receives information retrieved from a database (often used attributively).

   CGI enhances the utility of a site by enabling user interaction.

   A CGI script allows users of the site to search for information on a particular local physician.

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CGI British  

abbreviation

1. computer-generated image or imagery

2. common gateway interface

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Etymology

Origin of CGI

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

“The lawn was mostly dirt. In fact, it had been colored green with CGI in the online real estate listing.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Minions from the “Despicable Me” movies and talking animals in countless other CGI movies bring people to theaters, but their financial triumph is hindering animation as an art form in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

US star Brie Larson joins Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy and Jack Black in the voice cast of "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie", a CGI animation set for release in April 2026.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

"AI and CGI can do all sorts of things, but one of the great bonuses of cinema is recognisable settings," says Mr O'Brien.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

Unix sysadmins, who are almost always incorrigible hackers, generally consider it one of the languages of choice, and it is by far the most widely used tool for making `live' web pages via CGI.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.