imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈi-mij-rē 

-mi-jə-

plural imageries

1

a

: pictures produced by an imaging system

imagery from the satellite

b

: the product of image makers : images

A host of computer animation tools … have made it easier to create, manipulate, and multiply imagery.

—Dike Blair et al.

also : the art of making images

2

: figurative language

a poem with biblical imagery

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

Satellite imagery from March 11, 2026, provided to the Institute by image @VantorTech shows that Taleghan 2 was attacked. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026

Some modern cars have giant screens with minimal information, while others clutter their UI with decorative imagery. —Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Mar. 2026

The music video contains violent imagery of a young, dark-haired woman’s dead body and bloody knives. —Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026

In terms of lensing, Caswill and Ives soften the imagery as the film progresses in order to reflect the growing bond between the two lovers. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026

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