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 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

Shortly after arriving, Davis met someone at a party whose wife worked at the motion picture academy. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Still, by current motion picture standards, a near-30-to-46-day theatrical window to streaming is crushing it. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

The Cinecon Legacy Award is an honor given by the Cinecon Classic Film Festival to entertainment professionals for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the motion picture and entertainment industries. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Even after her 1995 novel was turned into a major motion picture starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, Hoffman wasn’t convinced that Practical Magic 2 would ever be possible. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 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