imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈi-mij-rē 

-mi-jə-

plural imageries

1

a

: pictures produced by an imaging system

b

: the product of image makers : images

also : the art of making images

2

: figurative language

3

: mental images

especially : the products of imagination

Examples of imagery in a Sentence

The book contains a great deal of sexual imagery.

The movie was full of biblical imagery.

Recent Examples on the Web

In her video, the poster juxtaposed old-school millennial imagery against minimalist snapshots of a woman in a striped top, jeans and cardigan, a plate of hamburgers and fries, and a man in a denim shirt with black skinny jeans. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

Anyone who’s accidentally purchased an especially stiff chair to flank a set of coffee tables knows first hand accounts are much better for assessing an accent chair’s prowess than staged imagery. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2025

This isn’t the first time imagery from Man's Best Friend has led to questions from the singer’s fans. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Interlune is sending a spectral camera to the moon on an Astrolab rover late this year that will help confirm whether their interpretation of remote imagery of the moon’s geology is correct. —Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymagerie "images portrayed in sculpture, painting, etc.," borrowed from Anglo-French, from ymage, image image entry 1 + -erie -ery

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing imagery

• satellite imagery

Kids Definition

imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē 

plural imageries

1

: images that can be seen or that are imagined

2

: language that suggests how someone or something looks, sounds, feels, smells, or tastes

Medical Definition

imagery

noun

im·​ag·​ery ˈim-ij-(ə-)rē 

plural imageries

: mental images

eidetic imagery

especially : the products of imagination

psychotic imagery