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

None of the platforms explicitly prohibit propaganda, but the presence of fake war imagery across social media could inflame tensions between nations and their populations. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

He was known for his edgy and raw works that combined powerful imagery, text and symbolism. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 25 June 2025

Every night, data from the SLAC-build camera will be sent from Chile to SLAC, where staff will process it and notify scientists around the world about everything that changed since the last imagery was taken. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 June 2025

More compelling were shorts that used this propensity for oddity to generate imagery that was curated and thematically tied to some aspect of human experience or identity. —ArsTechnica, 24 June 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