imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈi-mij-rē 

-mi-jə-

plural imageries

1

a

: pictures produced by an imaging system

imagery from the satellite

b

: the product of image makers : images

A host of computer animation tools … have made it easier to create, manipulate, and multiply imagery.

—Dike Blair et al.

also : the art of making images

2

: figurative language

a poem with biblical imagery

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

Moon’s poems suggest Buddhist ideologies and Korean temples, yet the works remain largely free of cultural-specific imagery and are, instead, naturalistic or universal. —Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025

Available in sizes from twin to king, each piece combines soft, cozy fabrics with timeless imagery. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2025

Space weather forecasters are reviewing new coronograph imagery from NASA's SOHO and STEREO spacecraft to determine its speed and trajectory. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025

Do Not Disturb is a step-up for Miko that plays with early 2000s inspirations, hotel imagery, and even a surprise Lil Jon cameo. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025

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