movie

noun

mov·​ie ˈmü-vē How to pronounce movie (audio)
plural movies
Synonyms of movienext
1
: a recording of moving images that tells a story and that people watch (as in a theater or on the screen of a television or mobile device) : motion picture sense 2a
watched a movie after dinner
a movie about the Civil War
an action movie
especially : a feature-length film shown in a movie theater
2
the movies : 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
the movies : the business of making movies : the medium or industry of film

Examples of movie in a Sentence

He wants to work in the movies. a career in the movies
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.
This movie isn't for the faint of heart, especially during the artistic and trippy dance sequences that verge on body horror. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026 The movie tells the story of three women who are demon hunters and use their singing voices to create a magical barrier against demons called the Honmoon. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 Feb. 2026 The shifts in dealmaking has taken away the jackpot potential of a huge windfall for writers, directors, actors, producers and others if a movie or TV show is a bona fide hit. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026 The film broke the record for most BAFTAs for a movie by a Black director, surpassing 12 Years a Slave’s previous record of two in 2014. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for movie

Word History

Etymology

moving picture

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of movie was in 1909

Cite this Entry

“Movie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/movie. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

movie

noun
mov·​ie ˈmü-vē How to pronounce movie (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on movie

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