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

Unexpected imagery in creative domain names Many business domain names stick to expected terms, so there’s power in flipping that script. —Renae Gregoire, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Maps display satellite and terrain imagery, along with 3D topographical features. —PC Magazine, 9 Aug. 2025

How Indianapolis Motor Speedway responded to 'Speedway Slammer' Penske Entertainment, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, isn't happy with Homeland Security's use of an IndyCar chassis in imagery announcing the plan to house ICE detainees in an Indiana detention center. —Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 7 Aug. 2025

Drawing from the week’s Torah portion, Reines used the imagery of the war against the Midianites to examine the ethical conduct of war through the lens of Jewish tradition. —Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 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