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imagery

noun
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im·​ag·​ery | \ ˈi-mij-rē How to pronounce imagery (audio) , -mi-jə- \
plural imageries

Definition of imagery

1a : 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 Architect David Craun, who represented the Bialosky firm at Thursday’s meeting, said that the imagery of bookshelves inspired the design for the Library Lofts apartments rising above the new library branch. — Steven Litt, cleveland, "Proposed new MLK library branch, Library Lofts apartments win thumbs up at design review meeting," 20 Feb. 2020 The imagery was widely accepted by the public and scientists as showing the spill's reach, but a growing body of field data collected just after the spill indicates the oil had a much larger footprint. — Author: Tristan Baurick, Anchorage Daily News, "BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill may have been much larger than thought," 13 Feb. 2020 In addition, the mental imagery associated with Chooseco’s mark adds to Bandersnatch’s 1980s aesthetic. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Netflix Loses Bid to Dismiss $25 Million Lawsuit Over 'Black Mirror: Bandersnatch'," 11 Feb. 2020 Even the imagery on the brand's website and social media avoid targeting any specific gender, Pfieffer points out. — Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, "Michelle Pfeiffer Used to Steal Her Dad's Cologne, and It Totally Inspired Her Latest Fragrance," 5 Feb. 2020 This New Year’s Eve, when blazes near Mallacoota caused smoke so thick the sky turned pitch black, my family absorbed the news and the imagery in horror. — New York Times, "Watching the Beach Town of My Childhood Burn," 17 Jan. 2020 Elza van den Heever, as Marie, was similarly sidelined by the pervasive imagery of masculine aggression. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, "Operatic Shows of Force," 6 Jan. 2020 But this also comes with a dose of reality; like parents who coat their children’s veggies in cheese, there’s something hidden within the playful imagery. — Nick Romano, EW.com, "Studio Ghibli: A beginner's guide through the worlds of Spirited Away, Mononoke, and beyond," 24 Dec. 2019 With that famous song, sleigh rides and snowmen who magically come alive, so much of the cultural imagery associated with Christmas features a glistening carpet of snow. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, "What Happens to White Christmases as the World Warms?," 23 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imagery.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of imagery

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

History and Etymology for imagery

Middle English ymagerie "images portrayed in sculpture, painting, etc.," borrowed from Anglo-French, from ymage, image image entry 1 + -erie -ery

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Time Traveler for imagery

Time Traveler

The first known use of imagery was in the 14th century

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Statistics for imagery

Last Updated

27 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Imagery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imagery. Accessed 28 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for imagery

imagery

noun
How to pronounce imagery (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of imagery

technical : pictures or photographs
: language that causes people to imagine pictures in their mind
: pictures of people or things in a work of art

See the full definition for imagery in the English Language Learners Dictionary

imagery

noun
im·​ag·​ery | \ ˈi-mij-rē How to pronounce imagery (audio) , -mi-jə- \

Kids Definition of imagery

: pictures or photographs of something satellite imagery

imagery

noun
im·​ag·​ery | \ ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē How to pronounce imagery (audio) \
plural imageries

Medical Definition of imagery

: mental images eidetic imagery especially : the products of imagination psychotic imagery

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More from Merriam-Webster on imagery

Spanish Central: Translation of imagery

Nglish: Translation of imagery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of imagery for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imagery

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