movie

noun

mov·​ie ˈmü-vē 

plural movies

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

Synonyms of movie

• 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

This mix of mechanical engineering and movie magic paved the way for more than a century of special effects. —Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026

For a picturesque date that feels like you’ve been plopped onto a movie set, consider the Gondola Getaway in Long Beach. —Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026

Gosling begins singing about the pale blue dot and his new movie — but the camera keeps panning away, selecting Harry! —Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Mar. 2026

The ultimate fail here was the DNA of the movie and its inability to be an event for anybody. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026

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