motion picture

noun

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of motion picture

1 : a series of pictures projected on a screen in rapid succession with objects shown in successive positions slightly changed so as to produce the optical effect of a continuous picture in which the objects move

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

See motion picture defined for English-language learners

See motion picture defined for kids

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 of motion picture from the Web

Gerwig’s latest directorial effort Lady Bird took home the award for best motion picture, comedy or musical at the awards ceremony, and best actress, comedy or musical.

— jodi guglielmi, PEOPLE.com, "Greta Gerwig Side-Steps Question About Working with Woody Allen at Golden Globes," 8 Jan. 2018
That Tony Award-winning musical was later turned into a major motion picture, and has received several revivals.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "Exuberant performances, top-notch voices enliven 'The Wiz'," 14 June 2017
This year will mark the 90th Academy Awards ceremony, and with it, an original song from a motion picture will join the ranks of Oscars history.

— aly semigran, Billboard, "The 10 Best & 10 Worst Oscar-Winning Songs," 28 Feb. 2018
The 1972 motion picture, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey, won eight Academy Awards.

— randall g. mielke, Aurora Beacon-News, "'Cabaret' gains new relevance in current political times," 25 Jan. 2018
CES Unveiled is the teaser trailer before the major motion picture—a taste of what's to come at the big electronics show in January.

— darren orf, Popular Mechanics, "Three Pretty Cool Things from CES Unveiled," 13 Nov. 2013
Ere this dust cleared away, photographers, motion picture men and souvenir hunters had scrambled over the ruins of the prostrate tower like ants teeming about a disturbed hill.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "Train tower toppled," 19 Mar. 2018
Rudin's credits include Lady Bird, which was nominated for an Academy Award as best motion picture this year, and Fences, which was a 2017 nominee.

— jay reeves, USA TODAY, "Harper Lee estate sues over 'To Kill a Mockingbird' Broadway version," 15 Mar. 2018
Of most significance, the university said, is rare motion picture and video footage that documents blimps.

— karen farkas, cleveland.com, "University of Akron receives blimp and lighter-than-air collection," 6 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of motion picture

1891

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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motion picture Synonyms

Synonyms

film, flick, flicker, movie, moving picture, picture;

silent, talkie;

MOTION PICTURE Defined for Kids

motion picture

noun

Definition of motion picture for Students

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 1