imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈi-mij-rē 

-mi-jə-

plural imageries

1

a

: pictures produced by an imaging system

b

: the product of image makers : images

also : the art of making images

2

: figurative language

3

: mental images

especially : the products of imagination

Examples of imagery in a Sentence

The book contains a great deal of sexual imagery.

The movie was full of biblical imagery.

Recent Examples on the Web

In an earlier study, my team and I examined the impact of e-cigarette product placement and imagery in music videos on propensity to use e-cigarettes among young adults. —Jon-Patrick Allem, The Conversation, 31 May 2024

This video shows the band of storms racing across Texas and over Houston on May 16 and into the 17th: The animation consists of imagery acquired by the geostationary GOES-East satellite. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2024

Some protesters crossed the line from rejecting Israel to using antisemitic imagery on posters and making threats. —Charles Homans Gabra Zackman Anna Diamond Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 29 May 2024

Examine each tarot card and look at the imagery on it. —Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 25 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymagerie "images portrayed in sculpture, painting, etc.," borrowed from Anglo-French, from ymage, image image entry 1 + -erie -ery

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing imagery

• satellite imagery

Kids Definition

imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē 

plural imageries

1

: images that can be seen or that are imagined

2

: language that suggests how someone or something looks, sounds, feels, smells, or tastes

Medical Definition

imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē 

plural imageries

: mental images

eidetic imagery

especially : the products of imagination

psychotic imagery