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

Paramount, absent a combination with WBD, would control a massive amount of theatrical content, which would be very harmful to the motion picture business. —Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025

When Apollo 13 claimed SAG’s outstanding ensemble in a motion picture award — incidentally, in its first year of existence — the pieces seemed to lock into place. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025

Taylor and Grande are competing against Emily Blunt, Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Amy Madigan for best performance by a female actress in a supporting role in any motion picture. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2025

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