plural cartoons
1
: a preparatory design, drawing, or painting (as for a fresco)
2
a
: a drawing intended as satire, caricature, or humor
a political cartoon
a cartoon drawing
b
: a group of drawings in narrative sequence : comic strip
3
: a video (such as a television show or movie) that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (such as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame : animated cartoon
4
: a ludicrously simplistic, unrealistic, or one-dimensional portrayal or version
The film's villain is an entertaining cartoon.
cartoon
verb
cartoonishly
adverb
Examples of cartoon in a Sentence
She enjoys reading the cartoons in the Sunday paper.
The kids are watching cartoons.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laugh Lines: Test your knowledge of classic New Yorker cartoons.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Yes, visual-effects technology is up to the task of re-creating a cartoon on a larger scale and dotted with real actors, and yes, these redos tend to turn a profit for their makers.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
Shipley also decided not to run a cartoon satirizing the relationship between Bezos and US President Donald Trump from Ann Telnaes, leading to the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist’s resignation.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
For the past 15 years, the first spectacular adaptation of the Cressida Cowell book has thrilled audiences as the most emotionally stirring cartoon not made by Pixar.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
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The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Yes, visual-effects technology is up to the task of re-creating a cartoon on a larger scale and dotted with real actors, and yes, these redos tend to turn a profit for their makers.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
Shipley also decided not to run a cartoon satirizing the relationship between Bezos and US President Donald Trump from Ann Telnaes, leading to the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist’s resignation.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 11 June 2025
For the past 15 years, the first spectacular adaptation of the Cressida Cowell book has thrilled audiences as the most emotionally stirring cartoon not made by Pixar.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
Cite this Entry
“Cartoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartoon. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cartoon
noun
car·toon
kär-ˈtün 
1
: a design, drawing, or painting made as a model for the finished work
2
a
: a drawing intended as a humorous comment on public affairs
b
3
Etymology
from Italian cartone "pasteboard, a sketch of a planned drawing or painting done on heavy paper," from carta "sheet of paper," from Latin charta "piece of papyrus" — related to card entry 3, carton
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