stop-motion

noun

stop-mo·​tion ˈstäp-ˈmō-shən How to pronounce stop-motion (audio)
often attributive
: a filming technique in which successive positions of objects (such as clay models) are photographed to produce the appearance of movement

Examples of stop-motion in a Sentence

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.
With its handmade stop-motion art style and heartfelt storytelling, the game honors cultural memory and centers a Black woman’s healing journey with exceptional craft in this meaningful exploration of personal and collective weight. Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026 Beiruty follows Andrea across seven years, threading stop-motion animation through a sustained dialogue with her subject about autonomy, compromise and self-determination. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026 Tumble Leaf' Told in an enchanting stop-motion style, Tumble Leaf is about Fig the fox and his friends, who spend all day playing and learning. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Apr. 2026 Before TikTok, Vine, or YouTube, short-form video humor was the purview of niche websites and the stop-motion sketch show Robot Chicken. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stop-motion

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stop-motion was in 1912

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stop-motion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stop-motion. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster