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
Igor Jesus, one of the breakout stars of the Club World Cup, celebrates his goals by imitating a character from a Japanese cartoon.
—
Jack Lang, New York Times, 27 June 2025
The show received mixed to positive reviews for the storyline that reimagines the cartoon character come to life in modern day New York.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
But this week, Park County — the business entity behind the long-running satirical cartoon — alleged that Ellison’s associates crossed the line by interfering with its negotiations with other companies.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Laugh Lines: Test your knowledge of classic New Yorker cartoons.
P.S.
—Erin Neil, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
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Jack Lang, New York Times, 27 June 2025
The show received mixed to positive reviews for the storyline that reimagines the cartoon character come to life in modern day New York.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
But this week, Park County — the business entity behind the long-running satirical cartoon — alleged that Ellison’s associates crossed the line by interfering with its negotiations with other companies.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Laugh Lines: Test your knowledge of classic New Yorker cartoons.
P.S.
—Erin Neil, New Yorker, 25 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 8 Jul. 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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