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

While fashion brands have historically shot and spent money on a limited set of imagery for their e-commerce platforms, generative AI allows for the adaptation of content for every country and its own individual consumer niches. — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026

West initially imagined his look through the imagery of the early papacy—particularly the period when the papal court moved from Rome to Avignon. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026

The imagery of snow had already appeared in Lorca’s notes for La Bola Negra, and although in his work it could be associated with death, Guitarricadelafuente found in it an idea that also resonated with the characters’ journey. — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026

It was designed to capture Earth imagery and monitor the environment over the course of a year. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026

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