movie

noun

mov·​ie ˈmü-vē 

1

: a recording of moving images that tells a story and that people watch on a screen or television : motion picture

watched a movie after dinner

a movie about the Civil War

an action movie

2

movies plural : a showing of a motion picture especially in a theater

went to the movies last Friday

also : a theater that shows movies

What's playing at the movies?

3

movies plural : the business of making movies : the motion-picture medium or industry

Synonyms

• film
• documentary

Examples of movie in a Sentence

He wants to work in the movies.

a career in the movies

Recent Examples on the Web

Here’s how to watch From The World Of John Wick: Ballerina for your next movie night. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

What is the schedule for Hallmark’s Christmas in July 2025? While the Hallmark Channel is airing beloved Christmas movie favorites all month long, the network is also premiering its four-movie franchise Unwrapping Christmas. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 1 July 2025

However, there was a little movie magic going on there, so don't feel too bad if you were fooled. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 1 July 2025

One of Netflix’s big movie plays for July is the sequel to its very silly but very fun action fantasy film The Old Guard. —Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

moving picture

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing movie

• B movie
• home movie
• movie house

Rhymes for movie

• groovy

Kids Definition

movie

noun

mov·​ie ˈmü-vē 

1

: motion picture sense 1

2

a

: a story represented in motion pictures

b

pl : a showing of a movie

went to the movies yesterday

3

plural : the business of making movies : the motion-picture industry