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

Los Angeles lost 42,000 jobs in the motion picture sector between 2022 and 2024, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, partly due to the migration of work internationally. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

Larkin works across motion pictures, digital platforms, and the video game/motion capture space, with a track record of guiding talent into new ventures across film, television, and interactive media. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026

Achievement in Casting recognizes excellence in casting major motion pictures. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026

The barn then became the site of the first major motion picture studio. —CBS News, 15 Mar. 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