montage

American  

[mon-tahzh, mawn-tazh] / mɒnˈtɑʒ, mɔ̃ˈtaʒ /

noun

plural

montages

1. the technique of combining in a single composition pictorial elements from various sources, as parts of different photographs or fragments of printing, either to give the illusion that the elements belonged together originally or to allow each element to retain its separate identity as a means of adding interest or meaning to the composition.

2. photomontage.

3. Movies, Television.

   1. juxtaposition or partial superimposition of several shots to form a single image.

   2. a technique of film editing in which this is used to present an idea or set of interconnected ideas.

4. any combination of disparate elements that forms or is felt to form a unified whole, single image, etc.

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verb (used with object)

montaged, montaging

1. to make or incorporate into a montage.

montage British  

/ mɔ̃taʒ, mɒnˈtɑːʒ /

noun

1. the art or process of composing pictures by the superimposition or juxtaposition of miscellaneous elements, such as other pictures or photographs

2. such a composition

3. a method of film editing involving the juxtaposition or partial superimposition of several shots to form a single image

4. a rapidly cut film sequence of this kind

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montage Cultural  

1. In art, making one composition by combining parts or the whole of other pictures, objects, or designs. In film, a stylized form of editing that provides a great deal of information in a short time. For example, the passing of years may be rendered by mixing shots of different seasons with shots of calendar pages turning.

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Etymology

Origin of montage

1920–25; < French, equivalent to mont ( er ) to mount ¹ + -age -age

Example Sentences

But the killer was hiding in plain sight – McCullagh was not only at the rally but he had put together a montage of home videos of Natalie, which were displayed on big screens.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Pushback intensified after the official White House account posted a video montage celebrating US strikes.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

Cue a montage of the two of them squabbling that, alas, sets the tone for this movie, which drones much more often than it soars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

To honor his large cast, a “panorama” of his country’s people, Mendonça Filho includes a montage at the end of the film in which each actor is acknowledged individually.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

“This isn’t some terrible montage of baby movies and news footage, is it? Come on, guys. I’m not exactly Elena with a sick father.”

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

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