slow-motion

1 of 2

adjective

ˈslō-ˈmō-shən 

: of, relating to, or being movie or video photography in which the action that has been photographed is made to appear to occur slower than it actually occurred

a slow-motion replay

also : slowly moving

a slow-motion dance

slow motion

2 of 2

noun

: slow-motion photography

Examples of slow-motion in a Sentence

Noun

The scene was shot in slow motion.

They showed the goal in slow motion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

While slow-motion replays appeared to show a decent case for a penalty, the referee ruled play on and a quick check by the video assistant referee confirmed the on-field decision. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

No foul was assessed in real time, and the red card was awarded only after the official stared at a slow-motion replay. — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Noun

Replays in slow motion show the action from different angles, including from overhead or (an unhappy recent innovation) the referee’s body camera. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026

Every shot is essentially a performance from beginning to end in slow motion. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for slow-motion

• commotion
• demotion
• devotion
• emotion
• laotian
• promotion
• locomotion
• lotion
• notion
• ocean
• potion

Kids Definition

slow motion

noun

: action in a film or television picture apparently taking place more slowly than it actually occurred

slow-motion adjective