depiction
noun
de·pic·tion
di-ˈpik-shən 
dē-
plural depictions
: a representation in words or images of someone or something
The book is fascinating in its depiction of the country's early history.
The first part of the book … is a depiction of the nearly lost world of a North American hunter-gatherer community.—
Timothy Egan
Timothy EganThe late Vermont artist Stephen Huneck made works that are instantly recognizable—bright, accessible, folky depictions of dogs enjoying themselves.—James Heflin
James HeflinBy comparison with the depiction of domesticity in such 1950s staples as The Donna Reed Show and Ozzie and Harriet, the portrait of family life on The Dick Van Dyke Show, the emblematic sitcom of the early 1960s, seemed staggering in its sheer smartness and casual elegance.—Bruce Bawer
Bruce BawerExamples of depiction in a Sentence
the set piece of the novel is a depiction of the battle that makes readers feel like they were there
Recent Examples on the Web
The flashbacks to Emma’s adolescence, which Borgli films with some curiosity, are far more engaging than the film’s depictions of the chatty Boston bourgeoisie, which exude self-satisfied certainty.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
This April, readers have plenty of new books to look forward to, including a metafictional exploration of memory, a look at the effects of family vlogging and a mysterious depiction of gentrification in Brooklyn.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026
That’s after attorneys for the Jackson estate, which served as a producer, realized there was a clause in a settlement with one of the singer’s accusers, Jordan Chandler, that barred the depiction or mention of him in any movie.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Of course, in the case of a character like Speedy Gonzales, depictions can become more nuanced as cultural norms and sensitivities change.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depiction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
This April, readers have plenty of new books to look forward to, including a metafictional exploration of memory, a look at the effects of family vlogging and a mysterious depiction of gentrification in Brooklyn.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026
That’s after attorneys for the Jackson estate, which served as a producer, realized there was a clause in a settlement with one of the singer’s accusers, Jordan Chandler, that barred the depiction or mention of him in any movie.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Of course, in the case of a character like Speedy Gonzales, depictions can become more nuanced as cultural norms and sensitivities change.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depiction
Cite this Entry
“Depiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depiction. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
