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

Kozlowski will also work with the motion picture group’s president Erin Westerman to shepherd films from development through release. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 May 2026

Major motion pictures require literally thousands of specialists to make visions – fantastical, realistic, outlandish – come alive and be globally seen. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026

Streep was also nominated for the Golden Globe for best actress – motion picture musical or comedy. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Phil Stong’s novel State Fair was inspired by it and went on to become three motion pictures and the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical. —Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026

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