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

Perhaps this movie, with its mean but oddly therapeutic crow creature, will offer some viewers a certain kind of comfort. —Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025

Brendan also chatted with franchise newcomer (and '80s action-movie icon) Linda Hamilton. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

Speedway Christmas is back at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with more than five million lights, a new four-mile drive-thru course and plenty of festive extras like the Christmas Village, holiday movies and photos with Santa. —Evan Moore november 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Nov. 2025

And there's a whole miracle element to this movie because of the Damar Hamlin of it all. —Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025

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