photographic

adjective

pho·​to·​graph·​ic ˌfō-tə-ˈgra-fik How to pronounce photographic (audio)
1
: relating to, obtained by, or used in photography
2
: representing nature and human beings with the exactness of a photograph
3
: capable of retaining vivid impressions
a photographic memory
photographically adverb

Examples of photographic in a Sentence

photographic images of the galaxy
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the Lumière brothers’ short Workers Leaving the Factory (1895), considered by many historians to be the first cinematographic film recording, the onscreen laborers are actually leaving their jobs at the Lumières’ factory, where photographic plates were produced and developed. Erik Morse, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025 Green uses historical photographic methods—albumen and lumen printing—to produce soft, tactile images. Okla Jones, Essence, 23 Oct. 2025 The British photographer’s most fashionable and prolific photographic years were between 1927 to 1956. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025 After photographic evidence of the sub, Nicol agrees to cover it in concrete and leave it on the ocean floor. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for photographic

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of photographic was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Photographic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photographic. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

photographic

adjective
pho·​to·​graph·​ic ˌfōt-ə-ˈgraf-ik How to pronounce photographic (audio)
1
: relating to, obtained by, or used in photography
photographic supplies
2
: capable of remembering details exactly
a photographic memory
photographically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on photographic

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