motion picture

noun

1

: a series of still pictures displayed on a screen in rapid succession so as to produce the optical effect of continuous video

2

a

: a representation (as of a story) by means of motion pictures

especially : movie sense 1

starring in a major motion picture

—often used before another noun

a motion picture screen

b

: the business or industry of making movies

—usually used in plural

a bigwig in motion pictures

Synonyms of motion picture

• movie
• moving picture
• film
• documentary

Examples of motion picture in a Sentence

He was given a starring role in a major motion picture.

a popular novel that was made into a major motion picture

Recent Examples on the Web

Paterno has been promoted to motion picture literary agent. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 17 Dec. 2025

Nestor was upped from motion picture coordinator to agent in 2017 and was likewise homegrown. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2025

The movie was also nominated for best drama motion picture at the Globes and the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025

Right now, what’s next for the franchise is a major motion picture written by Han and Sarah Kucserka — which, from a narrative and musical standpoint, feels like a natural progression. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for motion picture

• stricture

Kids Definition

motion picture

noun

1

: a series of pictures projected on a screen rapidly one after another so as to give the appearance of a continuous picture in which the objects move

2

: movie sense 2