motion picture

noun

1

: a series of still pictures displayed on a screen in rapid succession so as to produce the optical effect of continuous video

2

a

: a representation (as of a story) by means of motion pictures

especially : movie sense 1

starring in a major motion picture

—often used before another noun

a motion picture screen

b

: the business or industry of making movies

—usually used in plural

a bigwig in motion pictures

Synonyms of motion picture

• movie
• moving picture
• film
• documentary

Examples of motion picture in a Sentence

He was given a starring role in a major motion picture.

a popular novel that was made into a major motion picture

Recent Examples on the Web

Related Stories At Brillstein, Wernick was involved in personal management, TV and motion picture packaging and producing. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026

Since its release last year, the film has been lauded by many across Hollywood, with the entire ensemble winning outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture at the Actor Awards on March 1. —Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026

Gunn was best known as a producer on Disney comedies beginning in the early 2000s, starting with Freaky Friday, starring Lindsay Lohan, that Gunn had originally pitched to Disney motion pictures president Nina Jacobson. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026

Sinners would go on to scoop the prize for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for motion picture

• stricture

Kids Definition

motion picture

noun

1

: a series of pictures projected on a screen rapidly one after another so as to give the appearance of a continuous picture in which the objects move

2

: movie sense 2