plural pantomimes
1
a
: a way of expressing information or telling a story without words by using body movements and facial expressions
In the game of charades, one player uses pantomime to represent a word or phrase that the other players have to try to guess.
b
: a performance in which a story is told without words by using body movements and facial expressions
We saw pantomimes at the fair.
a ballet that is part dance and part pantomime
2
British
: a play for children performed during the Christmas season that is based on a fairy tale and includes singing and dancing
pantomimes; pantomimed; pantomiming
: to make the movements of someone who is doing something without actually doing it : mime
He pantomimed someone talking on the phone.
Cite this Entry
“Pantomime.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/pantomime. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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