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

The studio hopes to begin production in late 2026 or early 2027, Lionsgate’s motion picture chief Adam Fogelson said on Thursday’s earnings call, with the hopes of releasing the final product at the end of next year or in the first half of 2028. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026

The film will be among the 20 titles competing at the festival, running against other major motion pictures. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

Online voting for nominations in all categories will start on Monday, December 14, and run through Monday, January 4, for TV and ads and through Wednesday, January 6, for motion pictures. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 21 July 2026

If anyone in Kentucky is wondering how the state’s film incentives program plays outside the Bluegrass bubble, a veteran producer working on a new motion picture in Shelbyville has an answer. — Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 July 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