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

Camera imagery will be used to estimate He-3 quantities and concentrations in the lunar regolith. —Leonard David, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025

The personal visual offers a glimpse into their past with imagery from their childhood, including home movies and family photos. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2025

The telescope works with a mobile app to align and track celestial objects, through which imagery can be viewed as exposures are stacked in real-time. —New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2025

Satellite imagery can help determine the strength, size and cohesion of a storm. —William B. Davis, New York Times, 30 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