imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈi-mij-rē 

-mi-jə-

plural imageries

1

a

: pictures produced by an imaging system

b

: the product of image makers : images

also : the art of making images

2

: figurative language

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

The entrepreneur and media personality, 84, posted a throwback picture of her grandchildren, Truman, 13, and Jude, 14, on Instagram, announcing that the same imagery would be used in Chanel's latest fashion show. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

While that imagery may be comical and even realistic, the medical tourism industry today encompasses much more. —Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

While the parents might prefer a more cohesive plot or characters that convey emotional depth, teens and tweens should be captivated by the film’s imagery. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025

While this modern reimagining could've felt like a copy of a copy, Eggers infuses his version with dread and haunting imagery, centering the story more on Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) and her curious connection to Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård). —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025

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