motion picture

[ moh-shuhn pik-cher ]

noun

1. Movies.
   1. a sequence of consecutive still images photographed in a series by a specially designed camera motion-picture camera and thrown on a screen by a projector motion-picture projector in such rapid succession as to give the illusion of natural movement:

      Jean Cocteau produced some of the most innovative motion pictures of the postwar era.

   2. such a video sequence recorded and played in other media formats, as VHS or digital video:

      Critics have given mixed reviews to the new trend of feature-length motion pictures shot on smartphones.

2. a story, event, or the like, presented in this form:

   The motion picture is adapted from the novel of the same name.

3. motion pictures, the art, technique, or business of producing motion pictures:

   The Academy honors achievement in motion pictures every year at the Oscars.

motion picture

noun

1. Also calledfilm
   1. a sequence of images of moving objects photographed by a camera and providing the optical illusion of continuous movement when projected onto a screen
   2. a form of entertainment, information, etc, composed of such a sequence of images and shown in a cinema, etc

Other Words From

• mo·tion-pic·ture adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of motion picture¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Quincy Jones had already written his speech to accept an honorary Oscar this year at the motion picture academy’s annual Governors Awards.

From Los Angeles Times

We sent out storm chasers who actually ran into the weather and shot very high-resolution motion picture footage.

From Los Angeles Times

Although California posted solid job gains last month in healthcare and in leisure and hospitality, employment fell back in other key parts of the state’s economy, including the beleaguered motion pictures industry, tech and manufacturing.

From Los Angeles Times

The company cemented its presence in the motion picture space when it purchased legacy movie and TV studio MGM in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

Those 10 movies became the finest group of best picture Oscar nominees we’ve had since the motion picture academy expanded the category in 2009.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cinema
• feature film
• flick
• talkie